theJenchild Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 When I woke up this morning, I started to roll over to have my morning "stare at the tank" time and immediately noticed something not right with my little maxi clam. It had its shell open, but the mantle wasn't extended and there were two nass. snails on his foot. I'm quite sad about this, what a waste of such a beautiful creature! Sadly I also need to ask, should I remove the body from the tank or let my CUC eat it? Could leaving it for them cause any problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 I'd remove it since it is in a smaller tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Yes, remove it. Be prepared to get the stink of death on your hands. Plug your nose and don't breathe while the clam is out of the water. It does not come off easily. I have heard that lemon juice helps take the stink off. I think that dead clam or dead snail is the worst smell that our tanks can make. Sorry to hear about your loss. I am trying to get the $ to buy a clam right now. That is the next thing that I want to add to my tank. Your loss makes me even more nervous. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltfinsax Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Sorry for the loss of your clam. They are a nice criter to have but there hard to keep sometimes. My clam is one of the nicest items in the tank and the most I have spent on one item. Well so far anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Take it out right away. I made the mistake of leaving mine in for a day or two and it took a couple of weeks before the smell went away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 Wow, thanks for the info guys! got it out....sad day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Dang sorry to hear. Clams are so cool its sad to see one not make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefer Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Because our systems are "closed" environments, ALWAYS take out anything dying or dead. Better to lose one than many. Anemone death can wipe out a complete tank...I find clams a close second...remove immediately if any question...DrMerle(drooler) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 I definitely am glad that I got it out. There's no doubt that it was dead. The way I managed it without the crazy smell was to put a ziplock bag inside out over my hand. I grabbed the clam under the water, turned the back right side out and zipped it. Created a nice little seal so that I didn't have to smell the death. I am quite heartbroken over this poor little guy. I don't think I'll be trying another clam for quite a long time. It was so beautiful, and appeared to be doing well....right up until it died. So sad. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through others and look at lots of clam photos. So let's see 'em guys....calling all clam photos to make me feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I will have to wait a couple of days to get a pic, I just won one from the OIAB auction. Good price for a nice little clam. Once I pick it up I will snap a pic of it just for you. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 I will have to wait a couple of days to get a pic, I just won one from the OIAB auction. Good price for a nice little clam. Once I pick it up I will snap a pic of it just for you. dsoz Much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I definitely am glad that I got it out. There's no doubt that it was dead. The way I managed it without the crazy smell was to put a ziplock bag inside out over my hand. I grabbed the clam under the water, turned the back right side out and zipped it. Created a nice little seal so that I didn't have to smell the death. I am quite heartbroken over this poor little guy. I don't think I'll be trying another clam for quite a long time. It was so beautiful, and appeared to be doing well....right up until it died. So sad. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through others and look at lots of clam photos. So let's see 'em guys....calling all clam photos to make me feel better. If it makes you feel better I've decided another clam will not be in the near future for me either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I left the shell and put pearl in it. Looked pretty cool for a while there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 I left the shell and put pearl in it. Looked pretty cool for a while there. That's kinda neat! I don't think I could handle having the empty shell in my tank though. Despite how silly it may seem, I was pretty attached to this creature. I'm very sad to think that I caused its death, which is entirely likely. This is why I won't be trying another clam for a while, probably not till I have a much larger tank. I just don't want another death like this on my conscience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prada Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 If you dont mind me asking, what kind of lighting do you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 stories of peoples clams dying has me worried. I just got my first clam this weekened and I hope it does ok. Im not really sure how to take care of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krux Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Remember it forever, turn it into an ash tray. They are a fickle bunch, sorry for the loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Oh, I'm sorry! I've been thinking about getting a clam, but maybe I won't for a while longer. Was your's a good size or a small one? I've read a lot about the smaller ones not making it a lot of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 If you dont mind me asking' date=' what kind of lighting do you have?[/quote'] 150W HQI with a 20k ushio bulb over a 15.5g cube. Should have been plenty of light, sadly something went wrong. This was a 3" clam that was seemed super healthy. I got it from Jason at CRPC, so I have no doubt that it was good quality. I believe it was aquacultured too. Thanks for the sympathies guys. I just feel bad that such a beautiful animal had to suffer in my seemingly inexperienced hands. I have a lot to learn I think before I'll be trying something so sensitive again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 In my first tank, I had a clam die on me but there was noting left of it but the shell, the clean-up crew did it's job. Just a couple of small bristle worms in the shell, I'm sure the bigger ones left after their fill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted July 4, 2009 Share Posted July 4, 2009 stories of peoples clams dying has me worried. I just got my first clam this weekened and I hope it does ok. Im not really sure how to take care of it There is a great book in the club library you could check out. Get a hold of Lowman. Giant Clams by Daniel Knop Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 sounds like a good read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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