Is there anything wrong with my clam?

[VSVP bet]

Agreed. I only asked what type because if it was a maxima, it needs high light. If it was a derasa, being on the sand bed would have been fine. Obviously, you do not want to burn it, so I wouldn't stick it under the highest light right away. But usually, with maximas, you should gradually move them up to higher light after acclimating them to your light settings.

Also I wonder if lack of nutrients played a role in the clam not doing too hot. A 2 inch clam does need more nutrients than a larger one. Low bioload in a small tank without feedings of phyto/particulates can def effect health of a small clam.

Do you ever feed corals ever?

 

[eamike261]

Good looking tank!

Just eyeballing how the corals are extended I suspect lack of light with clam being on bottom. They need far more intensity than anything else in that tank. Can you put it on the top at all?

Thanks I could move it up but I'm worried it will walk and fall off the rock structure. Or get stuck between some rocks...

Agreed. I only asked what type because if it was a maxima, it needs high light. If it was a derasa, being on the sand bed would have been fine. Obviously, you do not want to burn it, so I wouldn't stick it under the highest light right away. But usually, with maximas, you should gradually move them up to higher light after acclimating them to your light settings.

Also I wonder if lack of nutrients played a role in the clam not doing too hot. A 2 inch clam does need more nutrients than a larger one. Low bioload in a small tank without feedings of phyto/particulates can def effect health of a small clam.

Do you ever feed corals ever?

I feed the corals 3-4 days per week. I rotate between LRS Reef Frenzy, Rods Food, and Reef Chilli. Plus I've started the Phytoplankton recently. Other days I just feed some pellets to the clowns. I believe I'm feeding enough but perhaps I could increase the Phyto a bit.

 

[MSB123]

I would definitely move it higher up. My 6” maxima basically has an entire kessil a360we for itself, it is 14” below the water surface, and the light is 6” above the surface. They need a ton of light.

 

[Craigb350]

Yeah as others have said no where near enough light mine receives around 400 par where its sat on the rock work, which is very different to my deresa on the sandbed at around 120-150 par.

 

[hart24601]

Sadly it might come down to risking falling off being placed higher vs near certain death where it is now. Not much fun I know. You can sometimes get a cradle to affix to the rock to help it stay in place or even a cut down specimen cup or tiny container glued to rock with sand in it. Feeding can’t compensate for low light with clams. They just don’t seem to gain enough energy from it.

 

[Mustbenuts]

The short video shows that this clam has probably lost his 'foot' , because as you placed it on the sand of your tank it should have attached to sans particles which now should be visible at the byssus opening. Once the foot is lost it will not re-grow anymore and the clam can not re-attach itself, plus with an open byssus, all sorts of nasties can get it and disturb the clam. Nest time when you buy a clam, make sure he's attached to something!

 

[Mustbenuts]

The short video shows that this clam has probably lost his 'foot' , because as you placed it on the sand of your tank it should have attached to sans particles which now should be visible at the byssus opening. Once the foot is lost it will not re-grow anymore and the clam can not re-attach itself, plus with an open byssus, all sorts of nasties can get it and disturb the clam. Nest time when you buy a clam, make sure he's attached to something!

 

[reef lover]

The short video shows that this clam has probably lost his 'foot' , because as you placed it on the sand of your tank it should have attached to sans particles which now should be visible at the byssus opening. Once the foot is lost it will not re-grow anymore and the clam can not re-attach itself, plus with an open byssus, all sorts of nasties can get it and disturb the clam. Nest time when you buy a clam, make sure he's attached to something!

Clams attach with byssal threads that put down through thier byssal opening...the foot of a clam is actually a different part they use to move around. They can and do drop their byysal threads if theyre unhappy with position...but they will grow then back...

 

[eamike261]

He has been pretty mobile in his little area with the small rock. I'm pretty sure his foot is intact because it took me a week to catch him unattached in order to take that video.

I'm increasing the light intensity a bit and probably going to try moving up in the next few days. It just seems like it's almost certain death to place him on the rockwork and hope he never walks around :/

Does anyone know if clams prefer a convex or concave rock/holder to attach to?

 

[reef lover]

Ask your lfs if they have any old clam shells i find they make the perfect cradle. And i always have the clam attatch to something so that i can easily move it up the rockwork...