Please help-my clams won't open

WestPat · 10-02-2003, 12:49 PM

Guys,
I was planning on doing a water change today and when I went to check the tank, when the halides were about to come on, I see that both my clams are sealed up tight. I guess it has been about a month since I did my last change, and as far as I know there is no foreign substance that has been introduced to the tank. Iam just a bit upset right now and do not know what to do.

My pH is 8.2 and temp stays 77-81F. Nitrates are usually untestable and I have not checked alk on Ca, but I will.

Please help, any advice welcome,
They have never done this before!

David

Casey · 10-02-2003, 02:51 PM

David check them out make sure no snails or anything is bothering them,what size are they? Do you feed them?

WestPat · 10-02-2003, 03:05 PM

Casey,
They are both over 3" long. I went ahead and did the water change, and everything seems to be coming out. I think that I figured out the problem. I did not feed the tank last night, and that includes my very evil lunare wrasse. He has been getting more and more aggressive lately and I am going to have to do something about removing him.

Anyway, I was talking to RT member Joel and looking at the tank, and the wrasse tries to go over and get a clam snack. They were both receded as much as possible so I do not think he got them.

They are coming out now and I will inspect them before I leave for work. I think that they will be fine, and I will feed the wrasse again before I go.

All parameters checked out so I went ahead and did a 13 gallon water change.

Do you think it could be the wrasse?

Thanks as always for your time Casey,
David

Casey · 10-02-2003, 03:14 PM

Yes it could be the wrasse I had to remove mine to way to aggressive kept knocking my clams down,good luck and keep me posted

Joel · 10-02-2003, 03:18 PM

time to go fishin' David

you will probably need a real small hook though.

WestPat · 10-02-2003, 03:29 PM

Both croceas are holding at about 1/2 extension. I checked the mantle and each of them have a couple of little nip spots. Not a tear or anything major. Maybe an 1/8 or1/16 " What is the prognosis on recovery Casey?

Thanks,
David

Casey · 10-02-2003, 03:33 PM

Prognosis is good but get his butt out and keep an eye on them.

Barry N. · 10-02-2003, 05:02 PM

[quote]getting more and more aggressive lately [quote]

If he is bothering the clam that much then they will be reluctend to open up.

www.clamsdirect.com

elgordoinavw · 10-03-2003, 10:30 PM

time for him to visit the sump

Joel · 10-03-2003, 10:33 PM

Quote:

time for him to visit the sump

or maybe the porcalin pond

WestPat · 10-06-2003, 09:14 PM

THe clams are opening again, but one has a couple of white spots(bleaching?) where the nipping occured and a little spot on the mantle. Does this spell disaster, or just something I need to keep an eye on? Do I need to do anything different to help them heal? Everything else seems normal.

Thanks,
David