Should i be worried about this clam?

vetteguy53081 · Mar 21, 2022

Doctorgori said:
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

I have 2 maximas for 3 years at these ranges and they’ve tripled in size
These posted are do not exceeds- not recommended levels
My all is at 8.8
Ca is at 414

Klyle · Mar 22, 2022

So I called lfs today. Told them the mantle was retracted in the one spot and if they had any advice. The guy I spoke with told me it was going to die and they would replace it. And that I didn't have to bring the other back. So now I have 2 clams, the newer one is considerable bigger. He also told me they had been keeping these clams at 100 par and the 220ish I put him under is what likely did him in. Rookie mistake on my part, not asking about the par. Oh and they're wild collected. So I'm also feeling like an idiot for possibly infecting my tank with something I don't already have. Fingers crossed, he did say they've had those for a few months. But now I don't know what to do about the clam that he said would die. The clam with the mantle issue seems to now be gaping. Should I try a FWD or is that just going to make it worse? Any thoughts are appreciated

Klyle · Mar 22, 2022

Klyle said:
So I called lfs today. Told them the mantle was retracted in the one spot and if they had any advice. The guy I spoke with told me it was going to die and they would replace it. And that I didn't have to bring the other back. So now I have 2 clams, the newer one is considerable bigger. He also told me they had been keeping these clams at 100 par and the 220ish I put him under is what likely did him in. Rookie mistake on my part, not asking about the par. Oh and they're wild collected. So I'm also feeling like an idiot for possibly infecting my tank with something I don't already have. Fingers crossed, he did say they've had those for a few months. But now I don't know what to do about the clam that he said would die. The clam with the mantle issue seems to now be gaping. Should I try a FWD or is that just going to make it worse? Any thoughts are appreciated

gbroadbridge · Mar 22, 2022

Klyle said:

I think it's going to be fine. Do not put it in fresh water. Just let it settle in.

Klyle · Mar 22, 2022

Also, every few minutes the clam will completely close, suddenly. It then opens up as fast as it closed. Except the one spot in its mantle. Don't know if this means anything or not

hart24601 · Mar 22, 2022

Yeah don’t mess with it. If it’s going to die it will die fw or not. I have had many clams act very odd like this for a week or two then be ok. Don’t know why and can’t say this one will be ok, but if you mess with it then it’s gonna die ime.

As for feeding, I have raised clams from 1” and don’t add special food, wouldn’t advise it, just make sure nothing is picking at it.

The PAR is lower than I like, but individual clams can take higher or lower, we tend to give the minimum “safe bet” but they do vary in the same species for low light acceptance. It’s why you might see someone post their maxima lives in 150 par for example but that’s due to the uniqueness of that individual and we can’t tell by color or anything which can tolerate low light - just species give us a guide.

The chem and temp parameters are a fine start but not a hard rule either. I kept dozens of clams over 1.026 and 83 with 500 calcium - so don’t stress over it. Stability is going to be most important after 100% sure no nippers (huge cause of clam death as most isn’t noticed) and strong enough light.

looks like it has white new growth when you got it so that’s a good sign.

java · Mar 22, 2022

I would dip it. From what I’ve read and experienced don’t be afraid to dip the clam.

Klyle · Mar 22, 2022

hart24601 said:
Yeah don’t mess with it. If it’s going to die it will die fw or not. I have had many clams act very odd like this for a week or two then be ok. Don’t know why and can’t say this one will be ok, but if you mess with it then it’s gonna die ime.

As for feeding, I have raised clams from 1” and don’t add special food, wouldn’t advise it, just make sure nothing is picking at it.

The PAR is lower than I like, but individual clams can take higher or lower, we tend to give the minimum “safe bet” but they do vary in the same species for low light acceptance. It’s why you might see someone post their maxima lives in 150 par for example but that’s due to the uniqueness of that individual and we can’t tell by color or anything which can tolerate low light - just species give us a guide.

The chem and temp parameters are a fine start but not a hard rule either. I kept dozens of clams over 1.026 and 83 with 500 calcium - so don’t stress over it. Stability is going to be most important after 100% sure no nippers (huge cause of clam death as most isn’t noticed) and strong enough light.

looks like it has white new growth when you got it so that’s a good sign.

No nippers for sure. Thanks for the advice!

Klyle · Mar 22, 2022

java said:
I would dip it. From what I’ve read and experienced don’t be afraid to dip the clam.

I'm so conflicted. I think I'll give it the night and reasses tomorrow. But yeah from what I've read it doesn't seem like a dip is a big deal to them. Idk.

java · Mar 22, 2022

Klyle said:
I'm so conflicted. I think I'll give it the night and reasses tomorrow. But yeah from what I've read it doesn't seem like a dip is a big deal to them. Idk.

If I were to buy another clam I would automatically dip it with no hesitation. Heck I would dip mine right now but I don’t feel like getting off the couch.

hart24601 · Mar 22, 2022

Klyle said:
I'm so conflicted. I think I'll give it the night and reasses tomorrow. But yeah from what I've read it doesn't seem like a dip is a big deal to them. Idk.

Personally after owning a clam system and over 100 clams over the past decade with the last batch raised for the local zoo, I wouldn’t dip. Just relax and don’t mess with it. If the retraction spreads then dip. Otherwise you’re just stressing it more.

ArachnoJoozt · Mar 23, 2022

Klyle said:
So I called lfs today. Told them the mantle was retracted in the one spot and if they had any advice. The guy I spoke with told me it was going to die and they would replace it. And that I didn't have to bring the other back. So now I have 2 clams, the newer one is considerable bigger.

Kind of weird advice from your LFS. Maybe the clam is in danger, but outright saying it's gonna die is not good information. At least if it does survive you now have 2 clams

I put my maxima (farmed, not WC) in a spot that was suitable, he attached and I havent touched it since, it's doing great.
Also, how does the shop know your aquarium environment is suited for clams? seems silly to just give another clam when the first is not doing so well.

Klyle said:
He also told me they had been keeping these clams at 100 par and the 220ish I put him under is what likely did him in. Rookie mistake on my part, not asking about the par. Oh and they're wild collected.

As far as I know the clam's aren't as sensitive to light changes as for instance SPS coral. If the clam was weakened at all, it's more likely the low par in the shop is causing it, than your 220 par. Since they were WC they were more than likely getting waaaaaay more par in the wild.

Klyle said:
So I'm also feeling like an idiot for possibly infecting my tank with something I don't already have. Fingers crossed, he did say they've had those for a few months. But now I don't know what to do about the clam that he said would die. The clam with the mantle issue seems to now be gaping. Should I try a FWD or is that just going to make it worse? Any thoughts are appreciated

Agree with @hart24601 here, leave it be, if the situation gets worse try a FWD. If it isn't absolutely necessary it's just more stress on a sensitive animal.

Good luck with your clams!

Klyle · Mar 23, 2022

ArachnoJoozt said:
Kind of weird advice from your LFS. Maybe the clam is in danger, but outright saying it's gonna die is not good information. At least if it does survive you now have 2 clams
I put my maxima (farmed, not WC) in a spot that was suitable, he attached and I havent touched it since, it's doing great.
Also, how does the shop know your aquarium environment is suited for clams? seems silly to just give another clam when the first is not doing so well.

As far as I know the clam's aren't as sensitive to light changes as for instance SPS coral. If the clam was weakened at all, it's more likely the low par in the shop is causing it, than your 220 par. Since they were WC they were more than likely getting waaaaaay more par in the wild.

Agree with @hart24601 here, leave it be, if the situation gets worse try a FWD. If it isn't absolutely necessary it's just more stress on a sensitive animal.

Good luck with your clams!

I know. It seemed a little weird to me also but in general this store usually gives good advice. He said it was probably damaged in the packaging / transport process. Never asked about any of my params except par level, at which point he suggested that was the cause of the clams demise. All that being said I have a mixed reef and get great growth from zoas to leathers and acros to monti's and all the lps's in between so I can't imagine why the clams wouldn't do good. Looking at the og clam today, it appears the pinched mantle is getting worse. I'm going for the fwd. Fingers crossed!

gbroadbridge · Mar 23, 2022

Klyle said:
I know. It seemed a little weird to me also but in general this store usually gives good advice. He said it was probably damaged in the packaging / transport process. Never asked about any of my params except par level, at which point he suggested that was the cause of the clams demise. All that being said I have a mixed reef and get great growth from zoas to leathers and acros to monti's and all the lps's in between so I can't imagine why the clams wouldn't do good. Looking at the og clam today, it appears the pinched mantle is getting worse. I'm going for the fwd. Fingers crossed!

You seem to lack a vital skill in this hobby - patience.

Dip the clam and it will likely die where it probably would survive if left alone.

You've been told this by several folks experienced with clams.

Klyle · Mar 23, 2022

gbroadbridge said:
You seem to lack a vital skill in this hobby - patience.

Dip the clam and it will likely die where it probably would survive if left alone.

You've been told this by several folks experienced with clams.

Seriously? I started my tank with dry rock and didn't add a fish for 4 months. Didn't turn on lights for 6, never had an ugly phase. My tank rocks- because I'm very patient. When there is a clam that is visually declining by the day, patience isn't gong to do you much good. There are also MANY experienced clam keepers that have recommended fw dip and quite a bit of literature to be found on the process. I did the fw dip an hour ago. The clam isn't dead.

ArachnoJoozt · Mar 24, 2022

Klyle said:
When there is a clam that is visually declining by the day, patience isn't gong to do you much good.

Agreed there. The advice was 'wait it out unless the situation gets worse'. Obviously, it got worse so action had to be taken.

One other thought: you said the store had them for quite some time, living under 100 par. It's entirely possible that this weakened (malnourished) the clam substantially, maybe even to the point of it never recovering no matter what. Still hope the clam and his new clam-friend make it! ;Nurse

Klyle · Mar 24, 2022

ArachnoJoozt said:
Agreed there. The advice was 'wait it out unless the situation gets worse'. Obviously, it got worse so action had to be taken.

One other thought: you said the store had them for quite some time, living under 100 par. It's entirely possible that this weakened (malnourished) the clam substantially, maybe even to the point of it never recovering no matter what. Still hope the clam and his new clam-friend make it! ;Nurse

Haha thanks! I hope I'm not making it worse by acclimating then slowly to brighter light. I think today will be the turning point, for better or worse

Klyle · Mar 25, 2022

Klyle said:
Haha thanks! I hope I'm not making it worse by acclimating then slowly to brighter light. I think today will be the turning point, for better or worse

Well I suppose I was wrong about that. 48 hrs after the fw dip and it looks the exact same. But hey, it isn't any worse.

Duncan62 · Mar 25, 2022

Klyle said:
Seriously? I started my tank with dry rock and didn't add a fish for 4 months. Didn't turn on lights for 6, never had an ugly phase. My tank rocks- because I'm very patient. When there is a clam that is visually declining by the day, patience isn't gong to do you much good. There are also MANY experienced clam keepers that have recommended fw dip and quite a bit of literature to be found on the process. I did the fw dip an hour ago. The clam isn't dead.

It's your clam. Dip it all you want. It won't hurt it.