Clam hitchikers

[ClamQueen]

These are burrowed into my deresa clam shell. I didm't notice in the poorer lighting in the store, but after getting home noticed a ton of pin head sized holes in it's shell. When lights come on, little thin brownish things (like worms) extend from the holes (see pic). If you touch them they will retract into their holes. They are NOT pyramid snails or fan worms. But I don't know what they are, or if my clam is doomed? I would prefer they didnt spread to my maxima. Internet searches have been fruitless for me. TIA!

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Kinda hard to tell but could they be barnacles?

 

[ClamQueen]

Kinda hard to tell but could they be barnacles?

Idk? Theres no shell on the little wormy things. Only the holes they have made in the clam's shell. I will try to get a better pic. I had one, but can't find it of course.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Hmmmm they do look weird, i cant say for definite but i doubt they will kill your clam saying its still alive and they seem to have heavily colonised it, i may be wrong but just assuming. Hope they arent bad, do they seem to be stressing the clam?

 

[ClamQueen]

Hmmmm they do look weird, i cant say for definite but i doubt they will kill your clam saying its still alive and they seem to have heavily colonised it, i may be wrong but just assuming. Hope they arent bad, do they seem to be stressing the clam?

No. It is open everyday, siphons open (but not gaping). Has great color from the top of the water (my glass is crap). Heres a pic from the top

 

[ClamQueen]

Here are some better pics #reefsquad

 

[redfishbluefish]

@KJ , #reefsquad .....any ideas?

 

[mta_morrow]

I wish I could help, but I have no clue.

 

[kireek]

Possibly hydroids? That would be bad. Just my shot in the dark though.

 

[reef lover]

I second hydroids

 

[motortrendz]

Wow that's crazy. I've never seen anything like that. Its like a bad movie prop. Or looks like the clam has a beard.

 

[Coralreefer1]

I have no idea what they are nor can I find any info that resembles anything close to what you are experiencing.
Having said this however, most clams will succumb to death, as far as snails, fish or worms tend to start from the bottom around the byssal thread area or the clams mantle. Of course their are bacterial and viral infections but as far as the worms are concerned, I wouldn’t be too concerned right now.
There is such thing as a boring worm that attacks cold water clams and oysters that dig through their shell to consume the flesh inside. This does not seem to be a similar case though. If you are seeking some kind of closure, you could do a fresh water dip for 15 minutes or so to try to kill the symbiotic living organisms residing on and in the clams shell.

 

[ClamQueen]

I have no idea what they are nor can I find any info that resembles anything close to what you are experiencing.
Having said this however, most clams will succumb to death, as far as snails, fish or worms tend to start from the bottom around the byssal thread area or the clams mantle. Of course their are bacterial and viral infections but as far as the worms are concerned, I wouldn’t be too concerned right now.
There is such thing as a boring worm that attacks cold water clams and oysters that dig through their shell to consume the flesh inside. This does not seem to be a similar case though. If you are seeking some kind of closure, you could do a fresh water dip for 15 minutes or so to try to kill the symbiotic living organisms residing on and in the clams shell.

Ok. Thanks you guys.

 

[Mike.P]

I'm not 100%, but it could be something in the polychaetes family. I recall reading an article some time ago, about them forming colonies on top of clams... It's a much smaller species, so it's hard to characterise without microscopy.

As far as getting rid of it, take the clam out, and give it a good scrubbing with a stiff nylon brush, and hydrogen peroxide. As long as you don't get any inside of it, you won't hurt it, and they can stay out of the water for a while too, without any issues. It may take several times, but that should kill whatever is growing on it.