Crabs clean clams ???

[hamburglar]

I bought a maxima about a month ago and don't know much about them. This evening I noticed it was open MUCH wider than usual and 3-4 red leg hermits look to be cleaning it on the outside. 1 hermit is actually on the inside. They don't seem to be picking at the flesh, but rather the shell.

I asume that this is normal, but I wanted to try to get some confirmation.

Thanks,
Chris Lupton

[mojoreef]

Chris cleaning the outside should be fine. Crabs couldnt careless where thier food is sitting , but I would be wary of any of them on the inside. Keep an eye on that. Might even be worth it to flick it out.


Mike

[MontanaRocknReefer]

I agree with Mike! That may not be a good sign if the hermit is already inside of the shell! I would assume if any critters would attempt to go inside the clam would close up! JMO Johnny

[hamburglar]

Ok, after checking on it again tonight, I believe that the clam is dead.

Its appearance has not changed from the day I bought it. I know that that is not the best way to judge how well an animal is doing, but I expected it to close up if there was a problem.

I was scared to get the crabs out with my fingers, fearing that it would snap shut on a crab if I messed with it. I dropped some shrimp pellets on the sand next to it, and as expected, most of the crabs went for the bait. I picked up the clam to shake the last one out and noticed that they had been eating it from the bottom. The clamshell seems to be stuck open.

That will be that last time I try a clam with power compacts even if they are touted as “lower light” clams. I guess I need to remove it so that it does not foul up the tank.

[cyberchef]

Actually, from what I understand, Derasa's and Squamosas are the lower light clams and supposedly the maximas are one of the most light demanding. How many Watts of PC are you running and what is your water depth in your tank? Did you notice any little snails in or around the clam recently? There is a parasitic snail that preys on clams. Since you got the clam a month agao, have you ever noticed it closing up due to shadows or something moving near it? Mine will almost snap shut when a fish swims over it or up against it. If I lift the lid they close, at least partially, due to the change in light. When you picked it up did it close? A healthy clam would have closed up emediately. Unless your light level is just way too low for a clam, there is probably some other reason for it's death. It may have already been on the outs when you got it.

I'm running 520W PC lights.
water depth in my tank is about 12"
I have 3 clams (1 maxima, 1 derasa, 1 squamosa) and all of them are doing great.

Just my .02

[hamburglar]

My light level might have been to low. I have six 55 watt PC's on an old 70 gallon tank. It is almost the same shape as a 48 inch standard 75 gallon, only with thicker glass I think. This clam was about mid tank, so I'd guess it to be 14-16 inch's deep.

I have very good water conditions and keep a few SPS just fine.