Fire Worms

[Michael Orelski]

I had a beautiful Maxima clam until one morning I looked in my tank and just about all of the clam was gone except the shell. I removed the shell and inside were these red worms with a black line on them. I took them to the aquarium shop that I deal with and he identified them as fire worms. He said not to worry about anything else in my tank because these were specific to clams. He also said that I will never be able to put a clam in my tank because as far as he knows there is no way to get rid of them. Any thoughts on this or does anyone know if there is a way to get rid of them ?

[Dragonist]

Try a wrasse...they eat worms...last time i check they will eat Fireworms also.

[Neuticle]

BS, the worms probably ate your clam after it died. We all have bristleworms in our tanks and many of us keep clams too.

[Loverotties]

+1

[Dragonist]

My @ wrasse a Canary Wrasse and juvenile Red Coris Wrasse have ate all my worms. I no longer see any and rock or sand when lights are out.

[Jadinop]

Originally Posted by Neuticle

BS, the worms probably ate your clam after it died. We all have bristleworms in our tanks and many of us keep clams too.

+1 with some clarification. It is highly unlikey that you have a fireworm. Fireworms are not common hitchhikers. You most likely have the typical bristleworm which is a good detrivore, they help clean up around the tank.

I also agree that the clam was already dying/dead and the bristleworms moved in to clean up the dead tissue. If you have a system capable of supporting clams there should be no reason that you can't try another one. If you don't have the high lighting and good flow that a clam requires than this is the most likely cause of death.

[PelagicMagic]

I would not take any further advice from your LFS. They probably sold you a sick/dying calm or you dont have the proper equipment to care for a clam and your LFS didnt bother to ask you about your setup before making the sale.