Zwickm Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 I have a 4" Derasa clam that had been doing very well for the past couple months since i got it but recently has been keeping it's 'mouth' shut. It has not been opening to it's former width but is still mostly open (with closed mouth). This has been going on for about 6 days. There are no pyramid snails in the tank. Has anyone experienced this before? Any recommendations on what to do? *Also posted in emergency forum Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninjabeaver Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 What kind of lighting do you have? How are your calcium levels? Possible pinched mantle? Does it react when you put a shadow over it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zwickm Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 Thanks for the quick response! 48 LED array 6" above water in a 19" deep tank. Whites at 51% and blues at 66% intensity. I started dosing BRS 2 part via a dosing pump about 2 weeks ago. I have been needing to adjust dosing to tune the levels. I aim for Ca 420 and dKH 9.5. It has been fluctuating between Ca 390-430 and dKH 8.7-10 while i've been trying to dial it in. He is still firmly attached to the rock next to him and does respond to touch/movement but not so much to light fluctuation. If it could be pinched mantel, what do you recommend? RO/DI dip? How long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninjabeaver Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 I actually don't know much about clams, but your answers to those questions will help someone who knows more than me. I have a derasa that's been in my tank for about a year and is doing good. I have heard that they can appear to be doing ok but actually slowly starving to death. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zwickm Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 (edited) Hmmm good to know. I've been feeding phyto feast weekly to the clam using a syringe. Should I be doing more? I attached a pic I just took. He looks better at the moment than he has recently but his mouth isn't fully open. He will begin to close a bit soon I'm sure. Edited April 8, 2015 by Zwickm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninjabeaver Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 If the mantle is still extending to its "normal" spread maybe its just what your clam likes to do now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rworegon Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 What's your nitrate level. Clams are filter feeders and appreciate some nitrate. I know this may sound strange but clams are strange critters and help filter your water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zwickm Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 (edited) My nitrate levels remain virtually undetectible... Also, PO4 is at .04 or less I have been adding phyto feast for clams once a week at night. Maybe I should direct feed him more than that? Edited April 8, 2015 by Zwickm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandinga Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Thought I posted already, but can you post a list of fish and inverts in your tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zwickm Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 Sure: Copperband butterfly Leopard wrasse McCosker's Flasher wrasse Yellow coris wrasse Purple firefish Royal gramma Cleaner shrimp Snails/hermits Everyone "seems" peaceful and keeps to their own business but the copperband could be suspect... He picks around a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandinga Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 (edited) I would certainly suspect the copperband...Especially from the description. Really not much you can do if this is the case. Before acting too quickly just watch him very close, pickers are easy to spot if you are looking...and patient. Second suspect would be the leopard, though much less likely a suspect. I know they can flip the clam and eat the foot...which is obvious when it happens. I've got an adult yellow coris and he doesnt pick at the clam...but I'm always a little nervous. Edited April 8, 2015 by Mandinga 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteRock Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 I had a copperbanded and for a week and that little bastard would nip my clams. It got to the point where I had to put a Tupperware over my clams to protect them. Clams stayed, fish went. My guess is it's the butterfly. Alternatively it may be too much direct flow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninjabeaver Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 My clam is not looking very happy today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zwickm Posted April 26, 2015 Author Share Posted April 26, 2015 Found the problem. It is the copperband picking at him. I put a piece of transparent mesh attached to acrylic rods above it, like a tent, so the copperband couldn't get to it and the clam opened back up to normal. Removed it for a couple days, closed up again. When added back, it's happy yet again. Such a deliema since I can't bring myself to part with either. Maybe the tent will need to stay.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandinga Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 And this is how we all end up with 3 tanks each:) I'd go with a healthy coppeband...clams are pretty easy compared to copperbands:) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zwickm Posted April 26, 2015 Author Share Posted April 26, 2015 Haha no kidding! I would have more if I could.... The copperband is really healthy and has so much personality, I couldn't let him go. I'll make it work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joehuaseals Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 you need to freshwater dip IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisQ Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 you need to freshwater dip IMO Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higher Thinking Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 you need to freshwater dip IMOThis post is a year old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.