Baby derasa clam help

[jordan banks]

I have a baby derasa clam that keeps getting holes in the center of its mantle. I don't know what's causing it. My other five clams in the tank are healthy.

please help.

 

[revsgirl]

Bump

 

[Tahoe61]

The appearance of your Derasa to me is of concern. The edges looks slightly ruffled or pinched in a couple of areas, it may just be the clam reacting to shadow. The algae or diatoms on the sand may indicate a decline in water chemistry. I would start with a water chemistry check, including the big 3, then proceed to running new quality carbon/charcoal in a larger amount then usual.

 

[jordan banks]

How much carbon should I add? I will be checking parameters this week. I know last time I checked phosphates were at less than .25 but everything else was fine. I bought the light used and it had a bad ballast just replaced last week. I guess that could be causing the algae bloom because it was producing yellow light.

 

[Tahoe61]

How big is the tank? Can you move that clam to a tank with no other clams?

 

[jordan banks]

24g, yes I can move the clam but the only thing is he has attached to the rock I'm guessing it's happy.

but the holes in the mantle are a mystery.

 

[jordan banks]

That's another pic of it. It's not pinched up all the time but it was at the moment of the photo.

 

[jordan banks]

Would any brand of carbon work for a reef or is there a certain brand?

 

[Tahoe61]

Are those actual holes or just an area where zooxanthellae is lost? I have never had a clam with that appearance. A hole every once in a blue moon but not multiple holes. Still looks a little pinched to me. Roughly 1/4-1/3 of cup, however if you do not run carbon on this tank I do not want you to shock the whole tank for one clam.

This is a good link:
Feature Article: A Look at "Mysterious Clam Deaths" ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
And an older one but still relevant
Troubles with Tridacnids: a Look at Two Common Problems by James W. Fatherree, M.Sc. - Reefkeeping.com

I can not find anything specific with regard to holes in the mantle. There are some clam people on this forum so hopefully they can offer more assistance.

 

[jordan banks]

They are actual holes two of them healed up but one new one appeared today. Yes I do run carbon I suppose I could put a little more in.

 

[Tahoe61]

Other possible causes according to the internet are

1. Salt falling on to the mantle.
2. Lighting burn.
3. Nipping of fish.
4. Use of Kalk in tank that resulted in pieces of kalk falling on the mantle.

 

[jordan banks]

Ok thanks. I know it's not salt causing this so the calcium supplement or light could be a possibility. I'll try putting some shade over the clam it's on the bottom of the tank but I am running 150 watt hqi over a 24 gallon. I don't think that's too much light but it could be on the little derasa.