The Curious Case of the Disappearing Clam

[rrasco]

Over the last month I added a few clams to my tank. I think both are Maximas. One is purple, one is blue. Today, I came home to find the purple one missing. Let me clarify, it's not missing, the shell is there, but it's licked clean.

I have two hypothesis:

1) Something got hungry and found a snack.
2) He was on the decline and something got hungry.

Both clams have been open and seemingly happen since I got them. They are in the sand. Blue maxima is still there as happy as can be.

The only two things in this tank I could think would go after the clam are my red reef crab or my cleaner shrimp. I've seen the shrimp rip the guts out of a dead turbo before so I don't think he'd have a problem doing the same to the clam. I've also seen my emerald mess with my other clam, but he's in the sump now due to that incident. I only have the small reef crab. No other hermits or snails.

Fish are: Occy, Flame, Kole tang, royal gramma, lawnmower blenny, and a green mandarin.

So, what do you think happened?

[Big_Pun]

they all took turns and saved the other clam for tomorrow

[johnsutter71]

Have you checked for Pyramid snails.

[rrasco]

That doesn't make me feel any better :/

[rrasco]

Have you checked for Pyramid snails.

Just looked them up. Have not seen anything like that. Would they eat it that quick and ignore the other clam completely?

[johnsutter71]

Yes if their were enough. Pyramid snails can come in different species which may be clam specific. One other thing to watch out for is whether you have empty snail shells around your clam or not. Pyramid snails can ravage a healthy snail population as well. One more thing. When checking do it at night with a flashlight because they are difficult to see under normal lighting depending on how many may be their. I pulled 6 off of a brand new clam I bought from a very reputable LFS that he gets from Ora. I warned him afterwards and when he checked found them under the other clams in his shop.

[rrasco]

I'll keep an eye out for them. I don't have any other snails in this tank so no shells to tell. Well, a few nassarius but they hide in the overflow and they're still there. I had a few turbos but took them out because I don't like bulldozers and they had no impact on my tank anyways. That's it.

[rrasco]

:(

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