Clam mantle stung by Torch coral

AndyB · May 4, 2019

Hi All,

I came home from work the other day (early evening) and noticed that one of my Derasa clams mantle had been stung by my Torch coral (could see the torch touching it) ... it was just one arm of the torch which looked like it was sweeping out for something to grab hold of and unfortunately touched my clam :-( note to self, keep them well away.

That said, i've moved the torch well out of the way but the clams mantle has appeared to recede and it hasn't been open much for the following day after the sting. I put a new bag of carbon in the sump and put the clam in an acclimation box to ensure that nothing else disturbed it.

I don't think I can see any gaping in the picture just the mantle receding (and maybe some mucus coming of the shell) but will defer to you guys for opinions.

Note: I have a second clam, does pinched mantle spread?

What are your thoughts? Anything else I can do besides ensure that it doesn't get disturbed and changing the carbon?

Cheers
Andy

xjiang7 · May 4, 2019

looking at the shell growth your clam has been healthy. I think it will heal in time

reef lover · May 4, 2019

Myself i would put it back where it was ensuring no other corals touched it. Theres not alot of flow in them boxes and he might not like that.

Lovemyreef2015 · May 4, 2019

I think the clam will be fine. We had a clam get stung by a anemone and it healed up just fine. Like said the clam has some nice new shell growth so the clam is healthy.

AndyB · May 4, 2019

Thanks for the feedback everyone, appreciated ... I see your point on the flow and its now getting me thinking.

I did consider leaving him where he was before putting him in the box, what made me go with the move was that in the evening I noticed nassarius snails on the shell edge where the mucus was visible (not seen them do this before) and thus assumed that the clam may prefer as little as possible disturbing it?

AndyB · May 4, 2019

Unfortunately I don't think i have anything that would enable me to put the clam back on the sandbed whilst still stopping critters from annoying it and allowing more flow through it, not sure if I'm over thinking the problem though.

AndyB · May 4, 2019

Dang, after closer inspection, it looks like there may be an issue but I'm not sure.

Looking at the first picture, it looks as though I can see a hole in the bottom and can see through it (looking through the siphon thing) highlighted.

Second picture shows the mucus stuff coming off the shell but I also thought I saw another hole in the mantle but cant get a decent shot of it :-(

reef lover · May 4, 2019

The nass shouldnt bother him unless he smells death. Has the mantle extended back out yet?

reef lover · May 4, 2019

Sorry posted same time...the shedding at the shell ive seen on mine often and dont think its concerning . I cant see the hole in the mantle but i had a frag drop on my squammy once and did some damage it tool awhile but he recovered.
Honestly hes not looking too good. Might just be because hes in the box. Hopefully....

AndyB · May 4, 2019

Nope, its not extended out yet but looking through the Siphon thingy I can see a little hole at the bottom of the clam which I can see the base of the plastic case through, dont think this is normal?

AndyB · May 4, 2019

ok, cool.

I will take him out of the box and see how he responds

AndyB · May 4, 2019

It is still responsive though, in that during the day I've seen it close up completely and then re-open again; its just the mantle doesnt come out.

reef lover · May 4, 2019

Ohh i see ur looking through the mouth and through the byssal opening at the bottom where he would put out byssal threads to attach . Mine have done it a couple times but usually doesnt last long. But it can also be happening as the flesh pulls away when its dying.

reef lover · May 4, 2019

Def try taking him out. Hopefully some flow will entice him to open up.

AndyB · May 4, 2019

Thanks again for the advice, yep that's where I saw the hole .... I've not seen it before but will keep an eye on it.

There's a decent amount of mucus coming off the shell which is weird, fish have been buzzing the box quite a lot ... the clam has been pretty responsive in that during the day its closed up a couple of times quite quickly.

Couple of concerns i have are:

- Fish / inverts pestering him for the I'm guessing mucus coming off the shell which i've never seen before in this quantity
- Leaving him accessible in the evening with the risk that if it goes sideways my second deresa may suddenly appear on the menu for whatever decided to finish him off

Hmmm

reef lover · May 4, 2019

If your around and can keep an eye on him you will most likely know by tonight if he will recover or not. When they go they go quick....

AndyB · May 4, 2019

Thanks again, i've managed to find a spare plastic tub which is a lot shallower than the box i had, stretched some black netting over it and placed it back on the sand bed ... so more flow going over it but at-least the fish / inverts cant get at him (just in-case) ...