Derasa Clam not opening up.

tdyrkacz · Mar 9, 2016

I bought a Derasa a week ago at the FFM. It was open at the show, but has not opened since then. I know it's still alive because it reacts to changes in light etc... but it has not opened up at all since i got it home this past Saturday.

I have it sitting on a small rock on the bottom of my tank.

Any suggestions? Should I try placing it on the sand instead?

tdyrkacz · Mar 9, 2016

here is a pic

Retro Reefer · Mar 9, 2016

I would sit it on the sand.. Ideally cut a small section of 3" pvc pipe, lay it flat on the sand and use it as a clam "hammock".. It almost looks like that rock could be preventing it from opening.. They also need lots of light to be happy, I want one bad but holding off until I upgrade lighting

betelgeuse · Mar 9, 2016

When you put it in did you take your time to acclimate to both the water and the light? Also what type of lighting are you using?

DeniseAndy · Mar 9, 2016

Couple things on clams and derasas specifically...

Did you fully inspect it for any snails on the bottom? Piramid snails are very tiny and will eventually kill your clam.
Take it off the rock. Derasas are actually happy on the sand.
Make sure you do not have direct flow or high flow around the clam.
Make sure the light is good. Derasas are not as demanding, but still need light.
Also, it looks small. Make sure to stir the sandbed once every couple days to get some food in the water column. Or, feeding sps foods is good.

No signs of anything major at this moment, but these guys can be tricky. Should be open within a day or two. If not, you may have to dip in freshwater or lugols to make sure not other issues.

DeniseAndy · Mar 9, 2016

Baby clams are tough, but at least you started with the simplest of the group. I hope it hangs on. I miss all mine now!!!!

tdyrkacz · Mar 9, 2016

To answer some of the questions.

I did inspect it by eye and did not see and snails. I acclimated it over a 3 hour period and turned the lights off that day... the next day lights were on as usual. I have it under 3 acan led fixtures, but they are not running at 100%.... I think at most i run it at 65%. I feed my LPS and SPS a few times a week and lately have been feeding them coral smoothie in addition to coral frenzy. ...

so i put the clam on the sand and while i was feeding the LPS i also squeezed some coral smoothie at the clam... it is open and it only took about 30 minutes. Not all the way yet but much better then before.

tdyrkacz · Mar 9, 2016

Often i am afraid to experiment. This just goes to show me that i need to take action sooner rather than later.

betelgeuse · Mar 9, 2016

In the sand is good, mine definitely likes the sand, but you might want to cut the lights a little and slowly build them back up over a few days

Throttle · Mar 10, 2016

Move it to the sand like everyone said. What are your water parameters? Lighting?

tdyrkacz · Mar 12, 2016

Here is what it looks like now.

betelgeuse · Mar 12, 2016

Awesome, looks good

Throttle · Mar 12, 2016

Looks good now. Keeping a baby clam is hard but just keep a close eye on your parameters

billrob71 · Mar 14, 2016

Looks nice

tdyrkacz · Mar 14, 2016

It does look much better. I put it in the sand bed but it found a small pebble to attach to. My conche has been on the move lately and turned the clam around a few times. I lifted it back up. It does tend to go a little on its side though.