Does this clam have a problem?

[ftherrmann]

Maxim Clam?

I'm a new clam owner.

I purchased a 1st grade Maxima (1 3/4") I've had it 8 days now and it looks like a very brown clam with a hint of blue on the edges. It's in a QT by itself and has plenty of light (125 PAR) and pristine water. I've added ~4 ml of MarineSnow every couple of days. I'm going to add a halid lamp tomorrow and see if anything changes. The clam reacts to shadows and lighting changes. Amazing how it knows you just walked up to it and are still 3 ft away.

The bright blue/turquoise image is what I thought I purchased. After asking when I might expect it to look more like the image the merchant changed the image to the darker 1st Grade image. Truth in advertising? I've looked at it at different angles and different light and it looks brown, regardless.

The collective wisdom on Facebook is telling me it's not getting enough light. LiveAquaria states that clams under 2" shouldn't be exposed to intense light since their membranes are thinner and can be damaged.

The byssal thread looked frayed when I first received it and it has now completely separated from its anchor. I also asked if this was a problem and didn't get an answer other than "it looks like it's damaged and we'll extend your warranty".

Could someone who has actually owned a Maxima clam give me some information on when, if ever it will look like the image and if the byssal thread is a problem. What I've read tells me that once the byssal filament is damaged you can often kiss the clam goodbye.

TIA

Fred

 

[luke33]

If it's under 3" I'd dose phyto as it'll keep it healthy. I dont see it turning that blue.

 

[Daytonareefing]

I think its cool too my clam knows when i'm in the room you can see it flinch. Mine is 7" to 8" now I'm not sure if size has anything to do with how far away it can detect shadowing.

 

[Reeferdude56]

People have been saying live aquaria isnt as good as it used to be but what I would say is look at it from the top down, it should have much more cool, it definetly does have a bluish color just maybe not
Like the pic.

 

[spspirate]

To the looks of it it may have colored down from shipping. Their photosynthetic so chances are it should color up for you once the mantle is directed to the light source. To the sound of it the maxima seems like it's healthy. Around the outer parameter of the mantle are little small dots that act as a bunch of photo eyes. Simply they detect light + or - and react to it. Thats a sign that he is healthy. Can you see the foot organ? Usually of what I found is that they will send out byssal strands to move around and when comfortable they will the lay the foot organ down.

 

[Cleo642]

Probably just the stress from shipping. Wait a few days and see how it does.

 

[DaveMorris]

It looks good to me and I agree with what has already been said. I think it will be much different once it is in its final home, acclimated to its surroundings, and seeing a lot of good quality light. Granted you wouldn't want to blast it 16" away from a 400w halide, but clams do need an extraordinary amount of light to really look their best. I say give it some time in the tank that it will actually be staying in. QT is going to keep it from looking its best, I'm sure.

 

[yaridong]

The color of the mantle will always look a bit more drab when looking at it through the acrylic or glass. You gotta look at it top down.

Make sure that you dont move it around too much either. Leaving it in a decent spot and letting it adjust and do its thing is good.

Check to make sure the intake? (the larger opening) is not too wide open. If its too wide thats a bad sign.