Question

[hectat2]

Hi my son buy me this clam to day is a derasa clam is my first one. Is this is normal on this clams o something is not right with him.

if some can tell me about it. Thanks for the help and time

 

[Z06-Hec]

Derasa looks stressed. That is its mouth and it should not be that open, its gaping. Also the mantle is not out in this picture, does it come out other wise or always looking like that?
How is your water?
How was it acclimated?
Parameters need to be in check for clams or they will die quick.
If it still looks like that now, i suspect it will be dead in another day.
Check PH, Salinity, NITRATES, NITRITES, PHOSPHATES...
If those major ones are in check and where they should be, then you need to check Alk, Calcium and mag, these help the clam grow.

 

[hectat2]

The clam came yesterday like that .
Water is
Ph 8.2 a 8.4
Amm 0
Nitite.0
Nitrate 0.5
Phosphate.8
Cal.440
Alk.10.1
Mag 1380
Acclimate dripin for 1 hr ligth off
Salinity 1.026 mix reef with most sps .
Is my first clam.

 

[Z06-Hec]

Params dont look bad, how does it look today?
In that picture it was stressed.

 

[Z06-Hec]

Should be opening like this....
Butt side of clam but you can see how its open. Small Derasa too.

 

[Fishy Bizness Aquatics]

Definitely stressed and not looking to good. What lighting is it under?

Looks like there are signs of bleach by the looks from this picture... How long have you had this clam?

 

[Tahoe61]

Phosphates are way too high at .8 but I am guessing the clam is still acclimating since you have had it for 1 day.

 

[hectat2]

One day was a gift is under maxspect razor led 120w

 

[hectat2]

I decide to do this in case its a gaping mouth

 

[Tahoe61]

It's been my experience that a gaping intake in a Tridacna acclimating is not unusual.

 

[TheEngineer]

Did you wire the clam closed?

 

[Z06-Hec]

is that cable going around the clam holding it shut?
Im not too sure thats a good idea... forcing it shut

 

[hectat2]

Yes i did with a plastic wire 1/8 gap

 

[TheEngineer]

Take it off immediately. That is not helping and will probably only make things worse.

 

[TheEngineer]

Did you do this because people said it was gaping? That was referring to the clam's "mouth" not how far open the shell is.

 

[Z06-Hec]

pretty sure thats not a good idea...

 

[hectat2]

Yes they say is the only to safe my clam

 

[Tahoe61]

Nope, not a good idea.
Give the clam a chance to acclimate to your tank. No intervention needed at this time.

 

[hectat2]

Ok i take off right now

 

[Tahoe61]

Yes they say is the only to safe my clam

They are wrong, who ever they are. Start getting your advice someplace else, I have been keeping clams since 1996 and I have yet to see that method.
If for some reason the hinge to the clam shell is damaged than I might reconsider but that is not the case here.