Torn mantle around incurrent and exit siphons

[whitelightning77]

Just wondering what might cause this. I noticed a slight tear near the incurrent and exit siphons, nothing major. I stood around watching the tank for a while yesterday to see if any of the fish were bothering it and didnt see anything suspicious. Just some of the wrasses inspecting the shell and cleaning it. I dont have any fish that are knowing to eat clams. Melanarus wrasse, a black leopard wrasse, regular leopard, yellowtail tamarin, yellow coris, yellow tang, powder blue, a trio of anthias, redline wrasse. Any opinions?

 

[whitelightning77]

Also, I have a crocea right next to it showing no problems, and a maxima up on the rockwork that I've had for over a year which also is showing no problems.

 

[DSC reef]

Could be nipping from the melanarus wrasse. Keep in mind, tridacna secrete a mucous that can be irresistible to many fish including tangs.

 

[whitelightning77]

Could be nipping from the melanarus wrasse. Keep in mind, tridacna secrete a mucous that can be irresistible to many fish including tangs.

Why just the new derasa though? If that's the case I should be able to remove him. I know his sleeping spot at night.

 

[DSC reef]

I wouldn't remove the fish yet as there's no way to tell which one it could be. As far as why just the derasa I'm not sure. IME, some fish nipped at certain mantles while others did not while having multiple tridacna species in the same tank.

 

[whitelightning77]

I'll be honest though, I had another clam a couple months ago. I did notice the melanarus picking at it. The clam however, was not in the greatest health to begin with so I chucked it up to a one time thing, or that the fish was picking at it sensing it was perishing. This new clam though, is healthy. I might place him in the sump for a while and see if the clam recovers.

 

[DSC reef]

If the nipping stops then the clam can recover. Hopefully he is the culprit.

 

[tenten900]

I had a melanurus kept with my clams for about 6 months then suddenly it started picking on my derasa clam. It was just also picking at the mouth and tore off some flesh. Took me 2 weeks to get that wrasse out.