Clam trapped my filefish

[Phil D.]

I have a Maxima also, you will just have to wait for it to open.

 

[ScottR]

You could try a butter knife or similar width hard object and rotate it 90 degrees to pry it open

Wouldn’t this damage the mantle?

 

[MERKEY]

You could try a butter knife or similar width hard object and rotate it 90 degrees to pry it open

I would try this ever so lightly while pulling softly on the fish.

Good luck

 

[jordan10]

It is a maxima clam. What a way to start the week, huh? I think the worst part is watching the file fish suffering. It’s times like this that make you realize how attached we get to the animals in our tanks.

I think it's kinda of neat. How often is someone going to see something like that? Its life only the strong survive. But maybe they both will pull throw. Keep is updated

 

[MERKEY]

Wouldn’t this damage the mantle?

It could but mantels grow back.

Emeralds nipped a lot of mine and they all grew back.

 

[Katrina71]

Oh this is heartbreaking.

 

[Gareth elliott]

They have light pores on their shells right? Could Try playing with it’s internal clock. Start lights out early ad add some small amount of intensity increase like 1 or 2% see if illicit a photo response for even a second to let the fish go

 

[KrisReef]

So I never had this happen before. I added a maxima clam earlier this week. I don’t know if the filefish was nipping at the clam or what, but the clam closed on the filefish leaving the filefish stuck. I tried gently pulling the fish out of the clam with no luck. The clam has the filefish really good.

Is there a trick to make the clam open without hurting it? Or do I just let this play out and see what happens?

I wish my clam would have gotten the filefish before the filefish got my clam

 

[Reef Dude]

I wish my clam would have gotten the filefish before the filefish got my clam

Sorry to hear about your clam. My filefish has never nipped at anything to my knowledge over the last few years, but he was either curious or just could resist nipping at the clam. My flame angel, who has also been a model citizen over the last 5 years, better be paying close attention to this!

 

[Reef Dude]

They have light pores on their shells right? Could Try playing with it’s internal clock. Start lights out early ad add some small amount of intensity increase like 1 or 2% see if illicit a photo response for even a second to let the fish go

Thanks a lot for taking the time to think of a creative suggestion. I’m just going to let it ride out for now. Plus I run halides, so it’s an on/off situation rather then %’s.

 

[jsvand5]

I’d go with the knife or flathead screwdriver. You only have to pry the clam open like a millimeter to free the fish.

 

[MERKEY]

I’d go with the knife or flathead screwdriver. You only have to pry the clam open like a millimeter to free the fish.

Literally the slightest turn should do it. And I dont see how a small twist would do anything but scrape the mantel.

Of course I'm not in the situation so it's easy to throw suggestions.

 

[Reef Dude]

Does anyone know if using a butter knife to pry the clam open a couple mm’s would do any permanent/irreversible damage to the clam?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Turn lights off. Clam should relax with light off and release pressure.
Butter Knife???? NO utensils!!!! The clam is bound to release. Im sorry, but my concern is with the clam who obviously sensed danger and of Much higher cost per specimen. Hopefully both fare well from this experience

 

[Reef Dude]

Literally the slightest turn should do it. And I dont see how a small twist would do anything but scrape the mantel.

Of course I'm not in the situation so it's easy to throw suggestions.

I appreciate it! I’m considering trying to pry the clam slightly, but i’m Just not sure if doing something like that is a death sentence for the clam. I’m trying not to make a bad situation worse, and I’m not sure what the right answer is.

 

[Reef Dude]

Turn lights off. Clam should relax with light off and release pressure.
Butter Knife???? NO utensils!!!! The clam is bound to release. Im sorry, but my concern is with the clam who obviously sensed danger and of Much higher cost per specimen. Hopefully both fare well from this experience

Thank you. My lights go off at 9 Eastern anyway, so I’ll turn them off now. I’ll keep you posted.

 

[Softhammer]

I’ve had stuff munched by clams before. 2 fish died recently from the same thing. if you pry the clam you’ll lose both. The damage is done to the fish and pulling will only exacerbate it. Only way out is the fish holding still and eventually the clam will let go. They have to expend energy to stay closed and relax when open. Just wait it out.

 

[Reef Dude]

I’ve had stuff munched by clams before. 2 fish died recently from the same thing. if you pry the clam you’ll lose both. The damage is done to the fish and pulling will only exacerbate it. Only way out is the fish holding still and eventually the clam will let go. They have to expend energy to stay closed and relax when open. Just wait it out.

Thanks for sharing. I’ll wait it out and hope for the best. The only hope I have is that only the file fish’s mouth is stuck, so it’s not like the entire head is being smashed by the clam. But who knows what kind of shape his mouth will be in. I’ll stay optimistic, even if it is naive to do so.

 

[CuzzA]

Leave it be. A diver working in a tank recently, and very carelessly I might add, got his gauge slammed shut in a clam. They took the BC off and went back down 30 minutes later and it was free. Lights off would likely reduce stress to the clam.

Entangled Loose SPG

Found this on FB: I've heard stories of giant clams being so large they could swallow a diver.....but I never realized how dangerous they could be, until today. I was working on one of our restoration projects at Anantara, next to a giant clam. I didn't realize my depth gauge was not...

www.scubaboard.com

 

[madatom]

Don't be pulling on the fish. Almost any animal that has a mechanism of grasping only closes hard if you try to pry it open. It's evolutionary mechanism, dogs, reptiles, even plants!. Should let it just go and don't mess with it unless you want to sacrifice both of them.

*IF* there's a chance to save the fish, put some stress coat or something around the fish (should read up to make sure it's not a clam irritant). And possibly turn up the lights a little or leave it open. Maybe adjust the flow that entices the clam to open up.