My Clams Spawned (Pics)

[MtnDewMan]

As I was investigating a microbubble problem in my tank, I found my Ampmaster 2700 leaking behind my tank. I figured, aha ... that's where the microbubbles are being introduced. Well that wasn't the source of the bubbles, and YES, I am very upset I currently have no closed loop pump (seal failed I believe).

But what was causing the microbubbles, or what appeared to be microbubbles were my clams spawning. The first one was spewing eggs, the second one the sperm ... what a cool site that was ....

http://www.fitermania.com/75gallonre...a_spawning.jpg

http://www.fitermania.com/75gallonre...a_spawning.jpg

Now to figure out how to get me a pump but FAST ...

[ShirleyM]

Those are truly awesome photographs!! What a treat! Thanks for posting!
Shirley

[125G's]

This is great! ( the picture)

Good luck in getting a new pump, but quick!

How big or maybe more appropriately, how old are the clams?

Phil

[CodeToad]

That is awsome! Thanks for sharing

[wildthings44]

All I can say is

[MtnDewMan]

Thanks guys ... I have a line on a pump as we speak and it should be installed by tomorrow evening Woohooooooo

[MontanaRocknReefer]

To see such an event on a wild reef would be cool but to witness it in a glass box is awesome!!

[chewie]

Chuck,

That is AWESOME!!! I've never even seen pics of clams spawning. although you show us all something we havent seen before regularly!

Thanx for sharing, and beautiful clams ya got there!

Jon

[ravennareef]

Those pics are so cool!!! When I get my MH and some more knowledge I would like to try my hand at clams... I thought I saw one of my snails doing the same thing the other night... love watching the reef by flashlite

[Mrs Smith]

Very cool... I know that when only one clam spawns, it can pollute the water, but when multiple clams spawn, that is not so much the case. Have you looked into that at all? Just curious, as we have a clam that spawned (before it came to our reef), but none of the other clams joined in.


Thanks for sharing!
Danielle


PS. The maxima looks like the mantle is a little pinched - or does it always look like that? I've been following some other clam threads, and the subject seems to have come up quite a bit recently. Just wondering.

[MtnDewMan]

I don't see how it can't pollute the water, there are so many eggs released it is incredible ... I will be cleaning my skimmer tonight for sure. Things were cleared up quite a bit by the lights went out.

I don't think my clam's mantle is "pinched" ... hmmm, I will have to take a closer look at it. Maybe it is the angle of the camera shot?

[Mrs Smith]

I read something (probably one of Knopf's "On the Half Shell" articles) about how if only one clam spawns, the gametes all die and can crash a system. However, apparently, if there are both eggs and sperm, not as many die. Or at least that was the premise. But yeah, as much as they spew out, you'd think it would affect water quality anyway.

And as for the mantle, it could just be the angle. I was just reading about something fellow clamkeepers are running into. I'm a bit paranoid when it comes to my clams. Here's the discussion: pinched mantles

Danielle

[Reedman]

Got the "Love Shack" going there Chuck. Maybe that tank is a little too healthy. Pretty cool though. Hope your pump situation is resolved quickly.

[MtnDewMan]

Well I haven't been home all day so I don't know if the mass of "stuff" spewed out has done anything detrimental to the health of my tank. I will find out in a couple of hours I guess.

Danielle, I read the pinched mantle and saw a picture. My clams are in no way pinched like that was showing.

[Mrs Smith]

Glad to hear it. Did they all join in the love-fest?

Hm... I wonder if anyone has actually raised baby clams from spawn. You never know.


Danielle