? about my new T. Cor Clam * First time owner*

[avalanche wolf]

I read in the FAQ that they should be placed on the rocks but after going through all the pics I see most of them on the sand bed.

Also I got all the information from another reefer and the one trustworthy guy i know at the LFS and bought the guy and I must admit it was a impulse buy on a great deal.

After getting it home I noticed some small white snails on it. Are these the dreaded vial ones and should I make a quar tank right away ?

[avalanche wolf]

before i get tagged :P here are the pics.

I check after the lights were out ( complete dark ) for about 30 mins. With no signs of bugs on it.

[know-it-all]

I could never get my Corcea's to mount onto rocks
my fish would always knock them off before they attach

that's why mine was on the sand

[storrisch]

Mine had attached to the rockwork but I have since moved it to a more shaded area. It was starting to bleach so I moved it in an attempt to keep the color. It still seems happy.

[JustDavidP]

They are best on rock. They are "boring clams" and do better there. In the sand is okay if you have good lighting, but I'd still put something (small LR, empty clam shell) under them to attach to. This will help them protect the byssal port from predators (ie. your pyramidellid snails). Also, because Crocea have more delicate gill structure, they really don't like ingesting sand. Yet another reason to have them on rock.

If they are moving, and not attaching, check lighting and flow. If they are being bumped by fish, snails etc. build a little rubble pile around them until they attach.

If you have little white snails, they're probably pyramidellid snails and you should do something about that. Manually remove them from the byssal port and toss them in to the snow check it DAILY and remove them. A decent wrasse will eat them too.

Dave

[avalanche wolf]

I placed a rock under it and it opened twice it had yesterday. I also got some tweezers and pulled off all the snails I could find about 6 or 7 of them. I think there was also some aipsita growing on it also so that was removed also with care to not get it floating in the tank. it was all done in the tank so i didnt need to re purp the clam.

CLAMS ARE FREAKING COOL !!! lol

[JustDavidP]

Yeah, you can scrub the shell with a soft-ish tooth brush to remove any nusiance algae, aptasia, and such. I also remove unknown sponges. Some of them bore into the shells of clams.

If you are fighting the snails right now, I'd NOT let the clam adhere to the rocks yet. Cut a short length of PCV pipe and make a "stand" for it to stay on. Do this for just a short while so you can check the clam (daily) for snails. Once you figure you have the snails under wraps, you can then let it spin it's byssus anchor Otherwise, you'll be checking that clam with your arm up to your elbow or more in the tank.

Dave

[JustDavidP]

By the way... here's a good read:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/jf/index.php

Dave