Crocea Clam PMSing?

[Reefer4ever]

I'm kind of paranoid right now, but maybe my clam has pinched mantle syndrome? I'm not too much informed on this so maybe all of you can tell me if my clam is PMSing. Here are a couple pictures:

http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab37/reefer4ever/croceaclam002-1.jpg
http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab37/reefer4ever/croceaclam001-1-1.jpg

Let me know. Thanks! :D

[Reefer4ever]

BUMP!!!!! Enlighten me!!!!!

[ErikH]

Water conditions, lighting, and flow. Probably lack of lighting.

[Reefer4ever]

So, is that a yes? It has been like this for a month or so and is growing new scutes(is that the right word?) and has colored up since I got it. It is under 6 month old T5 bulbs and I don't think light is an issue. I am planning to buy some new bulbs soon.

Current Light: Front
ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue special
ATI aquablue special
ATI blue blus

I was thinking of either this:

Front
ATI bue plus
ATI aquablue special
ATI purple plus
ATI blue plus

or this:

Front
ATI blue plus
ATI purple plus
ATI blue plus
ATI blue plus

Which one do you all think? Do clams usually die pretty quick after diagnosed with PMS because, my clam has been fine for a month, and growing.

[Reefer4ever]

Flow is a gentle sway of the mantle and all parameters are in place.

[txg8gxp]

What size tank and what light fixture? If it was doing fine, I would have to guess bad bulbs or water. What test kits, and what are the numbers and filtration? If you have 0 this and 0 that, I wouldn't trust the test kits. Have you changed anything major in the tanks?

[tebstan]

If its growing and improving color, its probably not PM. If the mantle is folded up in certain spots, it's either flow, scute damage causing a temporary deformation of the mantle, or irritating pests. Look over the shell for vermetid snails, spionid worms, and itty bitty pyramid snails. If there was any damage to the shell and the mantle is folding over that damage, it will correct itself in time. The underside of a clams mantle exudes a... something. I forget what it is exactly, but its like a slime that can erode rock and shell, that way the mantle can fully extend.

Can you get a more clear pic? There is one spot that looks suspicious, but its so hard to tell with that pic

[Reefer4ever]

I have no clue what light fixture it is(I bought tank with everything). API nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, ph Tropic marin calcium, magnesium salifert kh. HOB skimmer rated for 60 gallons. Tank is 20. 30 lb LR. 20 lb LS. nothing major.

[tebstan]

You gotta get that clam book, you'll love it. I read a lot, but not usually text book type stuff. I read that clam book cover to cover like it was on the Times Best Sellers list. A few things even made me laugh out loud. :D The author did an excellent job of presenting information in a useful, understandable, AND entertaining way.

The guys who write college texts should take a lesson from Fatherree.

http://www.amazon.com/Giant-Clams-Aquarium-James-Fatherree/dp/0978619404/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288147267&sr=8-1

[txg8gxp]

IMO, don't pay attention to the test kits(i'm not saying never test, just if they say everything is ok...but it's not.. don't just say everything is good and forget about it). You can tell/learn more by looking at your tank. Listen to tebstan and make sure crabs, fish, etc are not messing with it. Just remember in a small tank levels can drop fast, so stay on top of water changes and make sure the salt if mixed good before using it.

[Reefer4ever]

I took the picture from the top so it wasn't very good. The lights are out, but I'll turn them on for a second, let the clam fully open, and take some better pictures. I've checked many times for pests on the clam and haven't found a thing. What part were you suspicious about?
One of these spots?:
http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab37/reefer4ever/croceaclam002-1-1.jpg

[tebstan]

The spot you circled on the right does look pinched. The top/left circle is too hard to tell from the pic. But... a pinched mantle doesn't necessarily mean its Pinched Mantle Syndrome...

Saying a mantle is pinched is a symptom. It may or may not be a symptom of PM. It can be a symptom of pests, light burn, or any number of things. Don't rush anything, especially if it seems to be doing well otherwise.

Do you have any blennies or gobies that like to perch? Or cleaner shrimp that like to be annoying?

[Reefer4ever]

Non of my animals mess with it. I got another picture.

http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab37/reefer4ever/clam001.jpg

[tebstan]

It is pinched a little, but doesn't look like PM to me. I'm no expert though, keep an eye on it until you figure out why its a little clamped or it improves. The mantle looks good and puffy, extended. If it's PM its early stages.

You could always do a freshwater dip if you're concerned. But be careful to match temperature and pH. Fresh water dips are stressful for clams, but not fatal if done properly, even for 30 minutes or more.

[Reefer4ever]

It opens up more when I get home from school at 4:45. It is only about 2/3-3/4 open because I only turned the light on for a few minutes. I can usually see the center part of the mantle. I don't really want to do a dip unless I have to. What exactly causes PM? Is it a clam disease that develops or does the clam/its water have to be contaminated to obtain PM? Is it some kind of protist that causes it?

[tebstan]

So far research has been inconclusive. Last I read, anyway. It's suspected to be protozoan, but which protozoan is unknown. Research into the cause and cure are ongoing.

Its suspected to be a lot like ich for fish... it can be there, but not show symptoms until other stress factors bring it out.

[hobogato]

from your pics, imo, this does not look like pinched mantle syndrome. i agree with the others, check for something on the shell that may be irritating the mantle.