Deresa clam dropped foot

[bensoo00]

Is this normal? He’s under these conditions:

200 par
460 ca
15 nitrate
0 ammonia nitrite
1450 or so mg
Relatively new tank but he has flow and also I’m dosing phyto as a snack I suppose and also it’s for my sponge
.05 Phosphate

I’d also note that this is the parameters I keep my own clams in and it seems to be ok, perhaps it’s stressed due to no decaying organic matter in the water? I’m just not sure as it’s the exact same water from the main tank actually, but it is a macro tank so perhaps some of the nitrate and phosphate readings aren’t as accurate.

Anyway I saw it retract into the shell which is never a good sign in my experience (10 maxima 2 Crocea in main tank all growing)

But with deresa clams I only have one and it doesn’t anchor in my main tank but still grows and never did this, I know as they get bigger they don’t anchor and drop the gland in order to stay upright with their own weight but just visually he might not be doing too good, and the greenish thing next to the clam on the left is the gland I believe.

I could move him into the main tank where all my clams are doing well but I fear any change might kick it over the edge so idk any help would be appreciated!

 

[exnisstech]

I've read that it common for derasa to loose their foot / bisal threads when they grow larger. I'm not sure how large that is when they loose it though. Maybe @OrionN can comment?

 

[gbroadbridge]

Is this normal? He’s under these conditions:

200 par
460 ca
15 nitrate
0 ammonia nitrite
1450 or so mg
Relatively new tank but he has flow and also I’m dosing phyto as a snack I suppose and also it’s for my sponge
.05 Phosphate

I’d also note that this is the parameters I keep my own clams in and it seems to be ok, perhaps it’s stressed due to no decaying organic matter in the water? I’m just not sure as it’s the exact same water from the main tank actually, but it is a macro tank so perhaps some of the nitrate and phosphate readings aren’t as accurate.

Anyway I saw it retract into the shell which is never a good sign in my experience (10 maxima 2 Crocea in main tank all growing)

But with deresa clams I only have one and it doesn’t anchor in my main tank but still grows and never did this, I know as they get bigger they don’t anchor and drop the gland in order to stay upright with their own weight but just visually he might not be doing too good, and the greenish thing next to the clam on the left is the gland I believe.

I could move him into the main tank where all my clams are doing well but I fear any change might kick it over the edge so idk any help would be appreciated!

Am I missing something? That clam looks dead to me.

 

[exnisstech]

Am I missing something? That clam looks dead to me.

Your not but I sure did. I just saw the text when I replied. Definatly a goner.

 

[Tamberav]

It’s dead/dying when retracted like that. Do not put it in with your healthy clams!! I would not want to spread any disease to them.

 

[OrionN]

I am sorry but I think that clam is a lost cause.
Regarding the drop foot, I always keep my Derasa on the sand, so they never attach to anything usually. I don't pay attention to when they stop attaching.

 

[bensoo00]

Welp that is quite unfortunate, thanks for the input guys. Probably just got an unlucky clam or something or I’m stupid haha. Either way, thanks all!

 

[minus9]

Welp that is quite unfortunate, thanks for the input guys. Probably just got an unlucky clam or something or I’m stupid haha. Either way, thanks all!

There was no growth on the shell, so it likely starved to death. As mentioned, byssal attachment isn't something to be concerned with regarding derasa, as they'll eventually lose attachment altogether as they grow. They use their weight to keep them in place.

 

[bensoo00]

There was no growth on the shell, so it likely starved to death. As mentioned, byssal attachment isn't something to be concerned with regarding derasa, as they'll eventually lose attachment altogether as they grow. They use their weight to keep them in place.

Gotcha, thought so. Should have inspected this one more in the store, you are right with no growth. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[minus9]

Gotcha, thought so. Should have inspected this one more in the store, you are right with no growth. Thanks for the clarification.

My general rule with buying clams is to avoid any clam that doesn’t show new shell growth. 90% of LFS don’t provide enough light and I’m sure that number increases at the wholesaler.