Dying clam?

Toadfish · 09-16-2003, 12:25 PM

I woke up this morning to find my baby crocea laying on it's side. I inspected it further and found that the byassal threads he used to attach himself with were severed. Only 1 or two remain connected to the shell I placed him on. He has opened up slightly but I am dumb founded as to what happened to his gland(threads). Does anyone have any suggestions? BTW I have looked for snails but have not found any on him. I am finding the snails on my astrea for some reason.

Casey · 09-16-2003, 12:29 PM

Any crabs in the tank? Did a rock fall and knock him off?

Toadfish · 09-16-2003, 12:41 PM

He's in the DSB, I have a couple of hermits and an emerald crab. I have been suspectant of a predatory crab due to the fact that one of my emaralds disapeared and I found his claw. I also believe my hermits are disapearing, but don't know for sure because I have given some away. Yesterday though, I noticed the clam wasn't opening all the way and he was still firmly attached.

Casey · 09-16-2003, 12:52 PM

You cant always trust crabs any of them just keep your eyes peeled especially at night.

aliendomain · 09-16-2003, 01:47 PM

I would be on the lookout for a mantis. I had a mantis crack the shell of a derasa I had, and I know they like crabs to.

Toadfish · 09-16-2003, 01:51 PM

My tank has been up for over a year...I haven't noiced anything like this. I have been looking in there every night, and haven't seen anything out of the ordinary. I'll keep looking though.

Toadfish · 09-16-2003, 02:06 PM

Here are some pics...

Toadfish · 09-16-2003, 02:07 PM

another

Toadfish · 09-16-2003, 02:09 PM

And the last one. I took this about a minute after I placed him back into the SB. He opened up a little. Do the pics tell anything?

aliendomain · 09-16-2003, 02:10 PM

It may be ok, I would move it to the rock work as high up as possible. Nice color!

Casey · 09-16-2003, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aliendomain
It may be ok, I would move it to the rock work as high up as possible. Nice color!

and listen for clicking sounds at night

Toadfish · 09-16-2003, 04:21 PM

Like lots of clicking, one click or what? Since I bought my lights, about 2 minutes after they go off I have noticed a click...I have always assumed that it was the bulb cooling down or another element cooling down. That is the only time I hear it. What if there is a mantis and I cannot find him...what then???

Casey · 09-16-2003, 05:26 PM

I had one and it would be one click randomly about every 5 to 10 mins,if you have one you MUST hunt it down and kill it

or sell it

aliendomain · 09-16-2003, 09:52 PM

I had a mantis that did the same thing after lights out I heard a click or two, then again a few hours later. It could be a small one as they get larger they become more destructive. I agree with Casey, stay up late with a red flashlight and make a positive ID then hunt it down.

Toadfish · 09-18-2003, 06:10 PM

The clam died this afternoon. I can't figure it out. It was open this morning and I had moved him closer to the light. I was gone 4hrs, and the clam was on it's side dead. I did an autopsy and couldn't find anysnails or anything. It did look like the area around the byassal gland had been eaten out. But I think my hermits and fish prolly did this after it had died. The clam was very small so I knew it would be a tough road to hoe. I have looked each night, late, like 2 am 4rs after my lights go off, and no mantis or other crabs. This morning I found that one of my squamosa has a severed byassal thread as well. How do clams unattach themselves if they want to move? I just don't get what's going on, but I'm worried because I have 4 more clams in my tank.