Should i be worried about this clam?

[Klyle]

Just got this clam from my lfs today... it looked fine at the store. It has some of its mantle retracted since it's been in my tank. I know this might be too soon to ask since it's only been in the tank for 6 hours now but still. The rest of the mantle is opened except for the one spot. I'm worried it might be pinched mantle disease... the first picture is 30 mins after it went in the tank. The second picture is 5 hours later. No change

 

[vetteguy53081]

First 48 hours various changes will occur as it adjust to new conditions. Good acclimation is important
Assure:
Temperature no higher than 80
Alk no higher than 11
Ca no higher than 450
Ph no higher than 8.3
Salinity no higher than 1.026
Nitrate no higher than 10
Mag no higher than 1350

moderate and good, not strong lighting

 

[gbroadbridge]

Just got this clam from my lfs today... it looked fine at the store. It has some of its mantle retracted since it's been in my tank. I know this might be too soon to ask since it's only been in the tank for 6 hours now but still. The rest of the mantle is opened except for the one spot. I'm worried it might be pinched mantle disease... the first picture is 30 mins after it went in the tank. The second picture is 5 hours later. No change

They take a while to settle, it'll look great in a week.

Good advice above re tank params..

I'm not sure how big it is. As they become larger they can use more light for nutrition, smaller ones need a little bit of target feeding

 

[Klyle]

First 48 hours various changes will occur as it adjust to new conditions. Good acclimation is important
Assure:
Temperature no higher than 80
Alk no higher than 11
Ca no higher than 450
Ph no higher than 8.3
Salinity no higher than 1.026
Nitrate no higher than 10
Mag no higher than 1350

moderate and good, not strong lighting

As far as params go I'm in range for all except nitrate. Going off my nyos no3 results I'm sitting around 25-30ish. I got lazy and stopped using socks now I'm paying the price. Should I try to lower my nitrates with a few wc's throughout the week?

 

[Klyle]

They take a while to settle, it'll look great in a week.

Good advice above re tank params..

I'm not sure how big it is. As they become larger they can use more light for nutrition, smaller ones need a little bit of target feeding

Yeah this one's a little over 3"...I made a point to get one that was a little bigger!

 

[Klyle]

First 48 hours various changes will occur as it adjust to new conditions. Good acclimation is important
Assure:
Temperature no higher than 80
Alk no higher than 11
Ca no higher than 450
Ph no higher than 8.3
Salinity no higher than 1.026
Nitrate no higher than 10
Mag no higher than 1350

moderate and good, not strong lighting

I'm a little worried about par levels too. According to my seneye the clam (crocea) is about 220 par. Depending on who you ask some say that's ok and some say 300+ Do you think i should move it to higher par area at all costs or wait it out and see how it does?

 

[gbroadbridge]

I'm a little worried about par levels too. According to my seneye the clam (crocea) is about 220 par. Depending on who you ask some say that's ok and some say 300+ Do you think i should move it to higher par area at all costs or wait it out and see how it does?

You'll be able to tell when it settles and extends its mantle. I had mine at around 200 and it grew to 7 inches, so wasn't unhappy

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm a little worried about par levels too. According to my seneye the clam (crocea) is about 220 par. Depending on who you ask some say that's ok and some say 300+ Do you think i should move it to higher par area at all costs or wait it out and see how it does?

Do not move it higher
While your PAR isn’t seriously low, you can supplement with a light strip such orphek OR3 sky blue which is excellent on PAR

 

[Klyle]

You'll be able to tell when it settles and extends its mantle. I had mine at around 200 and it grew to 7 inches, so wasn't unhappy

Good to know!

 

[moz71]

First 48 hours various changes will occur as it adjust to new conditions. Good acclimation is important
Assure:
Temperature no higher than 80
Alk no higher than 11
Ca no higher than 450
Ph no higher than 8.3
Salinity no higher than 1.026
Nitrate no higher than 10
Mag no higher than 1350

moderate and good, not strong lighting

Curious what is the reason or implication not to have calcium over 450 and mag over 1350? Reason why I ask is I have a healthy clam but seem to stop growing for awhile. Been in same spot and light when it once grew like crazy but trying to figure out why stopped. My calcium is been about 480 and mag 1400. Not sure if this would be why. Just grasping

 

[java]

Bought 3” maxima clam about a month ago. Wouldn’t fully extend its mantle after a few days so I freshwater (ph adjusted) dipped it for 30 minutes. Started my light at 25% with Ca 460 mag 1500 Nitrate 3 phosphate 0.08. It has since fully expanded and has lots of bright white growth under its mantle. Slowly bringing light back up still. Also I put it in a low to medium flow. Somewhere on this forum are instructions for the freshwater dip. I recommend searching for it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Curious what is the reason or implication not to have calcium over 450 and mag over 1350? Reason why I ask is I have a healthy clam but seem to stop growing for awhile. Been in same spot and light when it once grew like crazy but trying to figure out why stopped. My calcium is been about 480 and mag 1400. Not sure if this would be why. Just grasping

You want to maintain them close to levels at natural saltwater levels or slightly higher. Higher calcium affects both alk and Ph, so this would be safe range.
Mag- same applies to sea levels which is 1280-1300. They dont have mag requirements as coral do.

 

[Klyle]

Bought 3” maxima clam about a month ago. Wouldn’t fully extend its mantle after a few days so I freshwater (ph adjusted) dipped it for 30 minutes. Started my light at 25% with Ca 460 mag 1500 Nitrate 3 phosphate 0.08. It has since fully expanded and has lots of bright white growth under its mantle. Slowly bringing light back up still. Also I put it in a low to medium flow. Somewhere on this forum are instructions for the freshwater dip. I recommend searching for it.

Yep I already read them...I figure I'll give him maybe 3 days and if it's still recessedI'm going for the fwd. Thanks for the input!

 

[Klyle]

Yep I already read them...I figure I'll give him maybe 3 days and if it's still recessedI'm going for the fwd. Thanks for the input!

What did u use to raise pH of freshwater? Baking soda?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yep I already read them...I figure I'll give him maybe 3 days and if it's still recessedI'm going for the fwd. Thanks for the input!

Bear in mind 2-3” specimens have a thin mantle in many cases

 

[java]

What did u use to raise pH of freshwater? Baking soda?

I use Brightwell alkalin to maintain alk so I used about 1ml in maybe 3 cups of water and floated the bag. I just added a little to rodi and made adjustments a few times. I’m sure whatever you use for alk would work or baking soda. Not sure if it’s even necessary but didn’t think it would hurt.

 

[Klyle]

Bear in mind 2-3” specimens have a thin mantle in many cases

I'm not sure I follow... thin, as in it won't extend beyond the shell much? Or thin as in thin tissue and could be easily damaged? Correct me if I'm wrong but based off the picture I posted and assuming I give the clam time (few days?) to properly acclimate to my tank, if it still hasn't extended that recessed portion of its mantle, i could "safely" assume it is suffering from PMD and proceed with a FWD? Thanks vetteguy! Ur always there to help me out!!

 

[Klyle]

I use Brightwell alkalin to maintain alk so I used about 1ml in maybe 3 cups of water and floated the bag. I just added a little to rodi and made adjustments a few times. I’m sure whatever you use for alk would work or baking soda. Not sure if it’s even necessary but didn’t think it would hurt.

Haha I didn't really even think of that. Duh!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm not sure I follow... thin, as in it won't extend beyond the shell much? Or thin as in thin tissue and could be easily damaged? Correct me if I'm wrong but based off the picture I posted and assuming I give the clam time (few days?) to properly acclimate to my tank, if it still hasn't extended that recessed portion of its mantle, i could "safely" assume it is suffering from PMD and proceed with a FWD? Thanks vetteguy! Ur always there to help me out!!

Thin mantle and yes-allow to settle in

 

[Doctorgori]

They take a while to settle, it'll look great in a week.

Good advice above re tank params..

I'm not sure how big it is. As they become larger they can use more light for nutrition, smaller ones need a little bit of target feeding

yup^ read and head…. I haven’t tried target feeding with phyto but I’m told and believe that works
also mind your params, a new or growing clam can have a noticeable impact (depending on water volume, lighting, et)

Curious what is the reason or implication not to have calcium over 450 and mag over 1350? Reason why I ask is I have a healthy clam but seem to stop growing for awhile. Been in same spot and light when it once grew like crazy but trying to figure out why stopped. My calcium is been about 480 and mag 1400. Not sure if this would be why. Just grasping
^quote got deleted, sorry

Some people believe elevated levels (alk specifically) can lead to other issues. I’m not sure but I’m willing to try levels as @vetteguy53081 suggest, can’t argue params near NSW … margins be darned, I’ll just test more often