My clam fell and can't get up!

Sleepydoc · Nov 19, 2020

I went down to check my tank yesterday and my clam had fallen off its rock. It had been there for over a year and was healthy prior. It still extends and withdraws appropriately and looks healthy so I'm trying to figure out why it fell and what to do now. Anyone have ideas as to why it would fall off its rock?

dank reefer · Dec 17, 2020

Sleepydoc · Dec 19, 2020

Thanks for the bump - I tried putting him back where he was and he fell again, tried a different spot and he fell there, too, so now he's on the sand bed, listing to one side but apparently happy.

DeniseAndy · Dec 22, 2020

I keep all mine on sandbed. Have for many years. Less likely to fall. It should be fine down there.

Sleepydoc · Dec 22, 2020

Yeah - I’ll keep an eye on him (Her? It?) and make sure he gets enough light. He does keep falling over so I might get some sort of plate/tray fro him to rest on .

I was down at the tank earlier and noticed this. It looks like his foot is trying to grab on to the snail! Apparently his foot is intact, making it more of a mystery why he let go from his previous perch.

DeniseAndy · Dec 22, 2020

Unhappy for some reason. Good luck! I love clams. Even with all the issues.

SaltyT · Dec 22, 2020

Sleepydoc said:
Yeah - I’ll keep an eye on him (Her? It?) and make sure he gets enough light. He does keep falling over so I might get some sort of plate/tray fro him to rest on .

I was down at the tank earlier and noticed this. It looks like his foot is trying to grab on to the snail! Apparently his foot is intact, making it more of a mystery why he let go from his previous perch.

How long have you had the flat worms? They can irritate clams.

JGT · Dec 22, 2020

They sell clam holders specifically to hold clams upright.

Spieg · Dec 22, 2020

I'd dig a small pit in sand and set clam in it to make it easier for foot to attach to bottom of tank. Use a few pieces of rubble rock to help stay upright if needed.

Sleepydoc · Dec 23, 2020

JGT said:
They sell clam holders specifically to hold clams upright.

Yeah, I was thinking of getting one.

SaltyT said:
How long have you had the flat worms? They can irritate clams.

Can't remember exactly when they started popping up - several months ago, IIRC. I was mostly ignoring them since everything else seems to be doing fine. Well, except my clam! Now I need to figure out if it's worth treating them.

DeniseAndy · Dec 23, 2020

I would try the chemical means, but looks like you have a good population. Try the grab at night method a bit and if you use flatworm exit, be careful and watch the tank. Have lots of water ready for change and carbon on hand. Good luck! Hope the clam adjusts.

tricky_tran · Dec 23, 2020

I put mine directly on the sand. It’s kind of moved a little. Turned to face more of the light?

DeniseAndy · Dec 23, 2020

Baby derasa?

tricky_tran · Dec 23, 2020

DeniseAndy said:
Baby derasa?

yup. Wife and son went out yesterday and came back with the clam, a Filefish, Devil Damsel and Dottyback. I am the gear head and built the system, she buys the live stock.

DeniseAndy · Dec 23, 2020

Sounds like here. Only I run the system, buy the livestock, and just tell the hubby what I need built if I cannot figure it out (anything electrical).

tricky_tran · Dec 23, 2020

DeniseAndy said:
Sounds like here. Only I run the system, buy the livestock, and just tell the hubby what I need built if I cannot figure it out (anything electrical).

wish my wife would do more research or join the forum. she buys things that are pretty. i gave her the list of what we have now and told her to make sure and ask if the things she wants are compatible. I was really going for a FOWLR for now, but she kind of changed it up and now I have to worry about more water parameters and lighting requirements than before ;Blackeye ;Meh ;Shifty ;Greedy ;Facepalm

Sleepydoc · Dec 23, 2020

DeniseAndy said:
I would try the chemical means, but looks like you have a good population. Try the grab at night method a bit and if you use flatworm exit, be careful and watch the tank. Have lots of water ready for change and carbon on hand. Good luck! Hope the clam adjusts.

Yeah - I may try sucking them up with a siphon and filtering the water back into the sump to get rid of as many as I can first. It's a 120 gallon and I have a 32 gal mixing bin so I can only do a 20-25% water change max. I've read a bit about flatworm exit and am a bit hesitant to pull the trigger since everything else is pretty happy!

DeniseAndy · Dec 24, 2020

I used it in my 210g when my infestation was bad. I only had about 30g to do a change with and it was fine. However, you may want to get another bin to fill for a temporary solution to have more water on hand.
I am very careful since my rebuild. I hated having those guys and it took many tries to eradicate them. Good luck with it.

Sleepydoc · Dec 28, 2020

DeniseAndy said:
I used it in my 210g when my infestation was bad. I only had about 30g to do a change with and it was fine. However, you may want to get another bin to fill for a temporary solution to have more water on hand.
I am very careful since my rebuild. I hated having those guys and it took many tries to eradicate them. Good luck with it.

Thanks - I have a 32 gallon mixing reservoir and a 32 gallon RO/DI reservoir. I could probably fill and mix up salt in both. If I don't need the extra I can simply drain it down to the regular salt reservoir.

I picked up a box. Just need to find a day when I have the time to set stuff and use it.