Electric clam

[Keelynnsreef]

How do I know if my electric clam is dead? I just got him yesterday and he has not opened at all. He has not moved. When I was feeding this morning I picked him up and smelled him no Oder but this shell was real loose on him.

[koa25]

Did you acclimate him slowly? Also, did he ever touch air when you transferred him from bag to acclimation to tank? Air is a big no no.

[Scutterborn]

Air is a very big no no...


- Ben -

[tebstan]

air is a problem for this kind of clam? I thought that was for the giant sea clams like maxima and crocea. These little bivalves don't have a shape that really lends to trapped air. They can 'burp' themselves when they're healthy enough to move around.

The electric clams are hit and miss... they don't have a long life span compared to other critters we keep in our tank, and there's no telling how old they are when you buy them. They are delicate, sensitive to fluctuations that happen in newer tanks, and difficult to feed even in established tanks.

I've had 4, one lived over a year, the rest a few months or less. Do some research about their diet, the way they attach, life span and growth, and you may still find that you didn't do anything wrong.

If the shell is loose, it's not a good sign, sorry - that muscle needs to be strong for it to survive. They're active at night though, so if you want to be sure watch to see if it opens up a little in the evening. Don't wait too long to remove it though - dead clam is rank and terrible for water quality.

[Keelynnsreef]

I acclimated for 2 hrs but it did hit air when I put him in tank. Thanks for letting me know. I did research but never read a thing about the air. It was only for about 2 seconds. Water quality is in perfect conditions. Except the carbonate/ ,phoss is high and hoping that will get corrected when I get my rodi system in next week.

[SoLiD]

Are we talking about "Electric Flame Scallops"?

[jrnannery]

Update