Clam Help!!!!!!

[apedroza]

OK I noticed the other day my clam looked alittle withdrawn and was constantly expelling water. The mantle hasn't fully extended in a couple of days and I was starting to get a little worried. Today I noticed 2 lttle clear shrimp not copepods inside the clam, taht seemed to be irritating it. Has anyone ever seen this before? and what can I do to get them out? I'll try and get some pics if I can.

[erikharrison]

if theyre light enough you could probably pull them out with a turkey baster??

[JimD]

Theres a certain shrimp species that I cant remember the name of at the moment, that has a symbiotic relationship with Tridacna clams, if the ones you have are indeed clear, its most likely them. Try a Google search and see what you come up with. I doubt youd be able to get a baster any where near a clams gills without it clamping shut.

[apedroza]

I ve tried but evertime I touch the clam it shuts completely!!! Fortunately it still reacts to touch. Hopefully whatever is bothering it will pass and it will open up again.

[Viet-Tin]

I have one of those inside my squamosa. Doesnt seem to bother the clam at all. Any pyramid snails?

[apedroza]

Nope no snails whatsoever. The clam only seems to extend half of the mantl and keep the rest tucked in. I may try moving it up a little higher to see if that helps.

[hobogato]

hmm... sounds a little like pinched mantle

[apedroza]

Whats that???

[hobogato]

from this (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_4/V4I3/Tridacna/GotTridacna.htm) article


Pinched Mantle

According to www.clamsdirect.com, pinched mantle is suspected to be caused by a protozoan that is currently being identified. The mantle curls upwards and in towards the clam and generally progresses to a more and more upset state until the clam eventually dies. To combat this, Barry Niegut recommends using a fresh water dip in RO water for 25 minutes. Gently shake the clam to get the RO water into all parts of the clam as it will closed up tighter than Scrooge at Christmas with the coal. While this is admittedly incredibly stressful for the clam, it causes the death of the causative organism and is the easiest and most well known curative readily available in your home.

[apedroza]

I looked up clinched mantle and it doesn't look like that. The clam mantle is hardly extending at allit seems to be just tucked in . I moved it higher up and hopefully that will perk it up! This is the way it currently looks. The mantle doesn't come out further than this. Fortunately it still reacts to light and movement.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o43/apedroza/DSC_1993Medium.jpg

[hobogato]

try burping it really well, may have some air trapped in there.

[JimD]

Also, Id move it lower in the tank rather than higher. They have a tendancy to open more in lower light as they expose more surface area to gather more light, putting it higher will probably cause it to open less.

[apedroza]

It was already on the sand bed so it can't go any lower. I'll try making it "burp", although its already doing it regularly.

[hobogato]

although its already doing it regularly.

what do you mean? by burping i meant turn it every which way you can under water repeatedly to make sure there are no air pockets trapped inside of it.

[apedroza]

Gotcha. What I meant was that it was already expelling water regularly, almost liek it had hiccups!!

[apedroza]

Well I came home tody and found the clam totally sunk in the shell and not responsive at all. Looks like I'll be needing another one!!!! :(

[hobogato]

sorry to hear that anthony.

[JimD]

That sucks.... When they go, they go quick.

[jrnannery]

And darned good thing you found it quick...immediate evac = NO TANK NUKE!!

Sorry to hear about the loss, Anthony. I would miss my clam terribly if it...expired. Amazing how we become more attached to a clam than a powerhead, even though they both just sit there and suck water!!! :lol