Derassa unhinged

[Keith B]

My clam for 5 years was doing extremely well. I was trying to clean next it in the tank on the wall. It shifted a little. Have added a few small corals recently but no other changes. Parameters unchanged. Slightly adjusted my lighting and noticed it was closed tightly. Reset to the original schedule and after 3 days no change. Barely any mantle showing. I thought maybe a snail had gotten into it so prepared a freshwater dip. It gulped a little and then when I went to put it back in found it’s hinge was disrupted.

help?? Any ideas? I fear for the worst...

 

[Keith B]

My clam for 5 years was doing extremely well. I was trying to clean next it in the tank on the wall. It shifted a little. Have added a few small corals recently but no other changes. Parameters unchanged. Slightly adjusted my lighting and noticed it was closed tightly. Reset to the original schedule and after 3 days no change. Barely any mantle showing. I thought maybe a snail had gotten into it so prepared a freshwater dip. It gulped a little and then when I went to put it back in found it’s hinge was disrupted.

help?? Any ideas? I fear for the worst...

Seriuosly, any ideas?

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Pictures might help.

 

[Keith B]

Pictures might help.

Not sure it can convey the issue. The hinge point of the two shells is disrupted. It doesn’t have the ability to open and close like a normal clam. Anyone ever have a clam do this that lived?

 

[Keith B]

Here it is. It won’t align and the mantle won’t open to expand. It gulped a little when it was in the fresh water dip but when I lifted it the two halves were not associated by a hinge point.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

I wish I knew more to help. My instinct is that it is probably not going to go well but I also firmly believe in never giving up on something living.

 

[Keith B]

I wish I knew more to help. My instinct is that it is probably not going to go well but I also firmly believe in never giving up on something living.

Thanks. I am the same way but if it goes it is a huge biomass (10”) and would rapidly affect my tank...

 

[G Santana]

Thanks. I am the same way but if it goes it is a huge biomass (10”) and would rapidly affect my tank...

Keep a close eye on it, if it starts gaping pull it.

 

[OrionN]

It have not done well for a while as there is no growth on the shell. IMO, the connective tissue that form the hinge is extremely tough. Ruptured due to stress and unhealthy clam. I would check your chemistry and make sure that there are nothing our of range. consider doing extensive testing ans see if there are any minor elements either toxic or deficiency.
The biomass of your huge clam will not discinerate quickly. You will know that it is dead well before it break apart.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Thanks. I am the same way but if it goes it is a huge biomass (10”) and would rapidly affect my tank...

Wow that is so sad. I can't seem to keep them alive so it breaks my heart you have had it so long! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and the clam!