Moveing an Attached clam?

[TAXMAN]

Ok. I have a Maxima. About 3.5" . I have it on a large peice of rock that cannot be moved. It has attached, but it doesnt open up like it used to. It pretty much only opens maybe 10%. Near closed. I am thinking too much light. It was fine on the sandbed but kept falling over into the bed. So I put it on the only rock available that it would stay on.

So my question is how do I get it to detach without harming or tearing out the foot? I do need to get it lower in the tank I think.

Thanks

[JimD]

hmmmm, does the clam open more when the halide is off and just actinics are on? Max's like high light so Im thinking there may be other issues here.

[TAXMAN]

No he stays pretty much the same all the time. I also have a Teardrop Maxima and a Crocea at the bottom. Full open and beautifull. But when I moved this Maxima he opened fully for a few days, now doesnt open.

[TAXMAN]

Ok. That's scary. I really dont want to hurt it. I did lift him and it's just a couple of threads holding him down. The actual foot is hanging out the to side of the calm where you can see it well.

It is under a 400w 6500. the light is 14" above the water line and he is about 6" below the water line. So could the light be the problem?

[prof]

6500K ?

I thought clams needed 10000K or better to thrive. Can anyone confirm this?

[TAXMAN]

well the Crocea's is about 3.5-4" and it's mantle comes out about an inch past it's shell. He looks like he's gonna jump right out of his shell. And the Teardrop looks great as well. So I dont thimk it's the 6500 causing the problem. THis Maxima has done fine for over a month. I only moved him due to him always getting into the sand. And it was the only place he would stay on the rocks. He fell of all the rest. And I also thought if it attaches, it means he likes the spot. If not attached he needs to be moved. I am still learning though.

[malofish]

could something be bothering him??? maybe a fish or a crab??? Maybe he's lonely :)

[TAXMAN]

He must be lonely. No crabs or shrimp in my tank. Just snails, Yellow Tang, Bi-color Blenny, Black percula and 6 line wrasse.

[Jimnorris]

By any chance is the clam's mantle blue? 400 watt 6,500k iwasaki is a very bright light. How long has he been 20 inches from this light? If the mantle is blue is it starting to turn any brownish? If the clam needs to be move with an razor blade tilt the clam at about 45 angle and cut the threads right at the rock.
Jim

[TAXMAN]

Thanks Jim.
He's actually about 24" from the light. LOL.. I measured it again. Anyway. You are correct. His mantle Is Blue. But I did notice the other day before he closed up that there were some brown spots on the mantle. Right at the same spot where the mantle was touching the edges of it's shell. I was wondering if it was burned or just rubbing. I guess burned. I will move him right now.

BTW. I said him. It could be a her. ;)

Johnny

[Jimnorris]

Yes the brown spotting is the mantle burning. This happens to blue color maxs. Bring him/her down to the bottom and keep us posted!
Jim

[TAXMAN]

He has been moved. I put him back on the sandbed for now. I just dont have any room to place a rock on the bottom of my 58. It only has a few inch's and sandbed in the front of the tank. But I will have my 180 up and running soon I hope. Plenty of room in there.

I will keep you posted. Thanks guys.
Johnny