Aiptasia On My Clam

[Marco S]

So I have a Maxima Clam in my coral QT that is ready to go into my DT. The problem is that I have been fighting the uphill battle with Aiptasia in my coral QT, (not winning at the moment) and there were a few on the rock that my clam is attached to. I got all the visible ones with Aiptasia-X, but am worried about any in the crevasses that I cannot see and afraid to move the entire rock into my DT. I am not too concerned with the coral since I dip them, scrub them, (well the parts I can scrub) and remove the plugs before placing them in my DT and so far I have been successful in keeping Aiptasia out of my DT, but I am very concerned moving this rock.

The options I see are as follows:

1. Cover the entire rock with Aiptasia-X in a separate container, let sit for 15 minutes and then scrub before placing in my DT.
2. Try to remove the Clam for the rock.
3. Break the rock and move just the piece the Clam is attached to.

I really think removing the Clam would be the best option, but do not know how to do so and even if it is possible without potentially tearing the foot and killing the Clam. So I figured I would reach out to see is anyone has done this before or if anyone has any other suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your comments on this! ;Happy

 

[hart24601]

I have cut clams off rocks dozens of times over the years, never had an issue, however you do need to be careful. What I do is make sure the clam is fully retracted, then I very slowly scoot a razor blade between the shell and the rock. IME it's only tricky if the clam is holding on to small gravel that you want to cut off and when you have the clam retract it pulls into the opening.

While it seems intense at this point I don't even bat an eye at doing it since I have done it so often and without any problems, but it is intense the 1st few times.

 

[Marco S]

I have cut clams off rocks dozens of times over the years, never had an issue, however you do need to be careful. What I do is make sure the clam is fully retracted, then I very slowly scoot a razor blade between the shell and the rock. IME it's only tricky if the clam is holding on to small gravel that you want to cut off and when you have the clam retract it pulls into the opening.

While it seems intense at this point I don't even bat an eye at doing it since I have done it so often and without any problems, but it is intense the 1st few times.

I was told NEVER to cut the foot because that will kill the clam. That being said, the LFS that told me that is not a clam expert, but I really do not want to cut the foot off if I don't have to. There has to be a better way to get the clam off the rock like you would an Anemone.

Anyone?... anyone?... anyone?...

 

[hart24601]

I was told NEVER to cut the foot because that will kill the clam. That being said, the LFS that told me that is not a clam expert, but I really do not want to cut the foot off if I don't have to. There has to be a better way to get the clam off the rock like you would an Anemone.

Anyone?... anyone?... anyone?...

It's not the foot that attached to the rock. It's the threads the clam attaches with. The reason you go slow and make sure the clam is fully retracted is that then the foot is inside the clam shell.

They are right you never want to cut the clam's foot. You cut the byssal threads.

There is no other method that is easier on the clam to move them, however it's understandable if you are not comfortable doing it.

 

[Marco S]

On a side note...

When I bought the clam it was on a bland colored rock and was attached pretty good. I rinsed it and was scrubbing it before putting it into my QT and during that process the clam came off. I freaked out. (and may have even cried a bit) because I thought I had killed it, but a couple days later it was attached to the rock I placed it on in my QT. Had I known this I would have put it right on a plug, but now I'm stuck with it on a rock. I was thinking of just going through the same process and seeing if it will fall off again. What are the chances of that happening?

Edit: I realize I should have done more research before buying a clam, but I saw it in the store and I just had too!

 

[hart24601]

On a side note...

When I bought the clam it was on a bland colored rock and was attached pretty good. I rinsed it and was scrubbing it before putting it into my QT and during that process the clam came off. I freaked out. (and may have even cried a bit) because I thought I had killed it, but a couple days later it was attached to the rock I placed it on in my QT. Had I known this I would have put it right on a plug, but now I'm stuck with it on a rock. I was thinking of just going through the same process and seeing if it will fall off again. What are the chances of that happening?

Edit: I realize I should have done more research before buying a clam, but I saw it in the store and I just had too!

No worries! The threads are sometimes loosely attached and are quite weak, other times the material itself is brittle and pulls off. Honestly I would be far more worried about putting pressure on the clam to dislodge the threads than I am cutting the threads.

 

[Uncle99]

Removing a clam by removing the bysal thread where it attaches to the substrate usually works, but can also lead to death, and you a have a maxi which is quite expensive.

I would leave the clam in QT and continue to zap the Aptasia, they will show themselves, they will always travel towards the light. The problem with Aptasia as you know is they leave a little of themselves al9ng the way. Take them out as soon as seen and be persistent.

Once you see no more after 7 days, I would consider the problem solved.