HELP new clam came in an empty bag

Boco · Dec 3, 2020

Hello, i just recieved a new maxima clam in a bag where the water only came halfway up the clam. It appears to be hanging in there as its aclimating now but i want to know is there anything i need to do to make sure it has the best chance to survive? Any tips im newer to clams but i was not expecting this in the shipment.. i will send a picture once it warms up since it also came with cold water.. I think it was colder then expected when they shipped.

Alex808 · Dec 3, 2020

Was the bag leaking or was it packaged like that? I’m guessing the clam was shut closed too right? Only thing you can do is have it placed and wait and see. I think it’s probably ok.

Boco · Dec 3, 2020

Alex808 said:
Was the bag leaking or was it packaged like that? I’m guessing the clam was shut closed too right? Only thing you can do is have it placed and wait and see. I think it’s probably ok.

The bag leaked in the packaging, the clam was open when i got it back in water and is now closed.. i read about aor getting under the shell but wasn't sure what steps needed to be taken. I called live aquaria and they said to make sure to rotate the clam in water while aclimating to try and get air out. But i wamted to see if anyone else had other thoughts since the clam was mostly dry

vetteguy53081 · Dec 3, 2020

Fortunately, it was able to remain wet. I assume you have acclimated it already.. . . I would have added a halp cup of water from tank every 15 mins 8-10 times, then tested the salinity in bag and lowered clam into tank and set in place.
At this point observe it for overall health. If youre not aware, its' basic requirements are:

Temp not to exceed 80
salinity not to exceed 1.025
ph not to exceed 8.3
good lighting
Feed Phytoplankton daily
Alk not to exceed 9
CA not to exceed 450

Boco · Dec 3, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Fortunately, it was able to remain wet. I assume you have acclimated it already.. . . I would have added a halp cup of water from tank every 15 mins 8-10 times, then tested the salinity in bag and lowered clam into tank and set in place.
At this point observe it for overall health. If youre not aware, its' basic requirements are:

Temp not to exceed 80
salinity not to exceed 1.025
ph not to exceed 8.3
good lighting
Feed Phytoplankton daily
Alk not to exceed 9
CA not to exceed 450

Thank you, im still aclimating right now but i wanted to make sure to seek out advise to increase survival chances. My parameters are all inline and acceptable. Its just a very pretty clam (wysiwyg) and im very excited to add it in.

vetteguy53081 · Dec 3, 2020

Boco said:
Thank you, im still aclimating right now but i wanted to make sure to seek out advise to increase survival chances. My parameters are all inline and acceptable. Its just a very pretty clam (wysiwyg) and im very excited to add it in.

Once settled in, inspect it daily for presence of any tulip looking pyramid snail which is a clam killer. When it opens, look inside the gap for any crabs which steal food supply/

Pyramid:

Boco · Dec 3, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Once settled in, inspect it daily for presence of any tulip looking pyramid snail which is a clam killer. When it opens, look inside the gap for any crabs which steal food supply/

Pyramid:

Thank you! I will do that and if it opens in the tank i will add in a picture. Im planning to place in the sand on the small rocks that was attached to the base atleast until i get it aclimated to my lighting and its doing okay.

Alex808 · Dec 3, 2020

Boco said:
The bag leaked in the packaging, the clam was open when i got it back in water and is now closed.. i read about aor getting under the shell but wasn't sure what steps needed to be taken. I called live aquaria and they said to make sure to rotate the clam in water while aclimating to try and get air out. But i wamted to see if anyone else had other thoughts since the clam was mostly dry

Yeah you don’t have to shake or it or anything but rotate upside down and a few times to release any possible air bubbles.

Boco · Dec 3, 2020

Alex808 said:
Yeah you don’t have to shake or it or anything but rotate upside down and a few times to release any possible air bubbles.

Cool thank you for confirming that! I appreciate it! Thats what i imagined but hadnt found much to confirm.

Boco · Dec 3, 2020

Got it acclimated and added into the tank. Its opening very little so i have hope that it will make it. Its only been in a few hours. The lights are going off for the night so i cant really get a picture right now. Ill post it tomorrow when the lights come up.

OrionN · Dec 3, 2020

Good luck. Just have to hope for the best and hope it did not get over stressed.

Tamberav · Dec 3, 2020

In the wild clams get exposed to air. Ofc they don’t have the added stress of being shipped and bounced around and temp swings. Hopefully it will be just fine.