clam pinch

[foxyb]

Unfortunately 3 out of 5 clams are showing a pinched mantle, I will try treating them with the rodi dip today. My question is should I also dip the 2 that are not showing signs of the pinch?
thanks

 

[Azurel]

Do you run GFO? or carbon? One of the new thoughts on PM is the use of a high amount of carbon with a high flow rate can and has in trials reduced and or stopped PM. GFO(Granulated Ferric Oxide) has shown to help cause PM in what is thought to be the increase of Iron in the water is used by the bacteria the causes PM.......If you haven't yet added carbon add it, in amounts that are double or triple for the water volume.....Change it once or twice a week as the signs of PM are around.....I think if you do the dips(as posted) along with carbon you might get away with not having to dip the clams not showing signs. I wouldn't dip them if they are not showing signs.. No reason to stress them any more then necessary especially if they are fine now....

 

[foxyb]

Thanks
I will change out the carbon and use the suggested dose. I do not run gfo on my reef but that is a whole other topic.
I am still on the fence about dipping them all. By matching the Temp and PH of the RODI I don't feel that it would stress them out too much.

 

[Znut Reefer]

I would dip the ones that are showing the pinched mantle first and then watch the other 2. Sorry to hear this. Did you recently add new clams?

 

[foxyb]

The last 2 were added about 4 months ago one is affect one is not. I recently swapped out my 1 mp40w for 2 mp40es and had to move some things around because of the new flow patterns.

 

[Azurel]

Can you get some pics? You sure it is PM? and not related to flow? It is easy to tell PM in most cases so I don't doubt it it at all but chnages and stirring up stuff as you move stuff around can cause momentarty issues.....good luck with what you choose to do and keep us updated....Hope all tunrs out good. I hate clam problems alot tougher to care for then corals or fish....

 

[foxyb]

They went into the dip before I read this, Ill take a picture once they open to see if it was successful. I ended up dipping 4 out of 5 clams, I was examining them and noticed that 1 more was affected. They have been back in the tank for 20 minutes and are re-opening.

 

[skinz78]

Can you post some pic's of the along with all your water params, fish and inverts, what you dose and how you add it? Also any other new changes to the tank?

Please don't do any more dips till these requests have been met, more often than not you can find the problem and fix it before a dip is even needed.


Run carbon hard, lots of flow and change it every 2 days.

 

[foxyb]

my actinics just came on so heres an iphone pic

the one on the far left was the unaffected one
On a good note 2 out of the 4 dipped look alot better almost fully extended, the other 2 look much better but still not where they were.
100 gal total water volume swc160 skimmer 1 leopard wrasse, 4 bartletts anthias, 9 orange lined cardnals
I only dose b-ionic 2 part ca doses at 1pm and 7pm alk doses at 1am and 7am. I do 10% weekly water changes
sg is at 1.026 alk at 9.5 ca at 420 mg at 1300 Running a double dose of carbon
About a month ago I swapped out my 1 mp40w for 2 mp40es
clams are located in a low flow area

 

[skinz78]

Do you have any inverts?

 

[foxyb]

inverts are 5 clams, 1 tuxedo urchin, tiny blue legged hermits, and an assortment of snails

 

[foxyb]

Now 3 or the 4 are "back to a health standing" with the last one showing positive signs

 

[Azurel]

Yup I would say that is positive......You don't run GFO correct? Keep the carbon running and getting changed out.....Might think about doing another dip as well.....The rest look good. Might want to seperate them though so there isn't a chance of it spreading back to them again.......I would segragate the one with PM to a differant part of the tank till it stops showing signs.......Good work on the others....

 

[foxyb]

Great idea I planned on dipping that one again, now when I return it to the tank I will try to put some distance between them. Nope no gfo and I swapped the carbon this morning again running a double dose. Do you think there is any harm in doing a WC?

 

[Azurel]

I don't see any reason not to...It is thought that PM is a protozoa as described in that link I posted.....If so then there might be a chance that they do free swim or can get into the water column so if that is possiable then that would be away they could spread to other clams.....A water change might get some of that out if they are in the water column. I say go with it......

 

[Azurel]

Sorry I didn't post a link in the previous post's.....
Pinched Mantle Syndrome in Giant Clams

 

[foxyb]

Thanks for your help, I've read that as well as this article and was thinking along those lines.
Troubles with Tridacnids: a Look at Two Common Problems by James W. Fatherree, M.Sc. - Reefkeeping.com

 

[skinz78]

I wouldn't dip...

Dips are very stressful and are a last resort thing to do. Keep running carbon, change it every 2 days and I bet the pm will clear out completely. If the clam doesn't change in a few days post another pic and we'll go from there.

 

[jordan3548]

Can I ask a question? I have never kept a clam and would like to. Whats a pinched mantle I look at the photos and they look normal to me lol. Any help would be appreciated

 

[Paul_N]

I wouldn't dip...

Dips are very stressful and are a last resort thing to do. Keep running carbon, change it every 2 days and I bet the pm will clear out completely. If the clam doesn't change in a few days post another pic and we'll go from there.

+1
I had pm about 2 years ago. I just kept running and changing carbon out every other day and it cleared up after about 3 or 4 changes so about 7 or 8 days.