clam not opening

[mkengr45]

I bought a crocea clam last friday, and it isnt opening more than 1/4". Tank is a 92 corner with 250w 10k halide. Clam is placed low in tank in a medium/low flow area. All water parameters are perfect. What can I do????????????

[TruonkQ]

Did you drip him slowly? Burped the clam? Check for those snails? Try moving him up.. and what your water like?

[mkengr45]

I dripped slowly and burped. Water parameters are all fine. Ammonia, nitrate, nitrate are all zero. Ca is 450. All corals and fish are fine. I can try moving him up and maybe try to burp again. Should I try bowl feeding him or freshwater dip?

[Pacman]

I have a crocea that has pinched mantle. Freshwater dips work, but I wouldn't do this unless you really think that's what it has. I currently do a dip every 2 weeks or so; I just need to set up my quarantine to treat with metronidazole and hopefully that will eradicate the infection.

Matt

[Crab Rangoon]

wtf is burping? :dumb:

[Pacman]

Here's a pic of what PM looked like in my clam
http://www.drherald.com/images/PM.jpg

[hobogato]

tagging along- never heard of burping a clam before either.

[aquadoc]

yeah, it is where you put the clam underwater. Then you rotate the clam every wich angle, wich in turn releases any bubles that might be trapped inside the clam. Not realy hard at all. It is always a good practice to do this.

[blueboy]

well, i learned something today! burp your clams, now my GF is really going to think i spoil them.

[hobogato]

thanks.

[pilot_bell777]

First time I heard that too all I could picture was putting the little clam on my shoulder and patting it's little shell! LOL

[aquadoc]

bump, LOL

[fishypets]

I lost a $250.00 black and white zebra stripped maxima one time because I did not burp him. Learned my lesson.

[mkengr45]

here are some pics of the clam. Does it look like it has pinched mantle? should I try the fresh water dip? How the heck do I do the fresh water dip and for how long. Wouldnt the dip freak the clam out???

[Richard]

You could just try moving him up in the tank. 250 watts on a 29" tall tank may not be enough light to keep him low in the tank IMO.

[mkengr45]

its 23" tall actually. I did move him up this afternoon but dont see a difference yet.

[Pacman]

It does look like separate parts of the mantle are retracting which is what happens in pinched mantle, but it's so closed that it's hard to tell. Was it always that way, or did it gradually kind of shrivel up? Mine gradually shriveled, but it never retracted that far.

When I've done my FW dips, I adjust the temp by floating a bag in aquarium water for a half hour or so and then adjusting the pH to the same as the tank. I then dip the clam for about 10-15 minutes, although I have heard of some people doing it for over an hour. The clam closes up and is ticked off during the treatment, but the next day it's always looked much better. I've now done 3 FW dips for both my maxima and crocea clams.

It's a protozoan that causes pinched mantle, and the only way to cure the infection is to set up a hospital tank and treat with metronidazole. The FW dips just kill off some of the bugs, but don't get rid of the infection. Anyway, I'm about to set up my hospital tank very soon. Just need to get rid of some live rock so I can fit some stuff in there!

Good luck with your clam, hopefully you can figure out what makes it happy.

Matt

[C.Mydas]

What kind of fish do you have? Are you sure one of them isn't pestering it?

[mkengr45]

Well the clam is looking worse and worse. I called Alex but he said he had never done the fresh water dip and he wasnt sure what to do. Any ideas? It doesnt smell bad, but it does look like some flesh is breaking off of it. Should I just toss it and attribute it to being a bad clam?