Derasa Clam placement question

[jpt100]

Hey fellow reefers!
Is a Derasa clam ok on the sand with nothing underneath? I've had him for 3 days and he's been on the sand ever since. He looks

healthy and seems to be doing good, except Ive seen him flinch a few times when the lights are going down. He closes up for a few seconds and then opens right back up. No fish were around it so i don't know what spooked it. I'm asking because I had a maxima last year that I placed directly on the sand and after 2 months it died. He looked healthy and out of no where he went downhill. After a closer look I noticed that there were a few bristle works eating it from underneath. I'm wondering if it was because I placed him in the sand and because of that his foot was exposed to the worms in the sand. Do u guys think I should place a rock under the Derasa? Or will he be ok sitting "bareback" on the sand?

 

[Tahoe61]

I think your clam will be fine in the sand bed. The bristleworms you saw on the Maxima were attracted to the dying clam.

 

[jpt100]

Got it! Thank you for your quick response...I'll leave him on the sand. Thanks again!

 

[4FordFamily]

I kept mine in the sand for a few years until I let my maintenance slack in that tank and my nitrates skyrocketed. Then it died. Having surgery will do that to ya..

 

[The Macro Guy]

Stick a rock under it, then place sand on top. I feel it helps the clam anchor on to something, it would prevent it from getting tipped over. When they do their little water spurts, it might tip itself over if its not anchored.

 

[jpt100]

Got it. Thanks for ur help guys!