Sick Clam

[freemchr]

Hi Guys

I have a small maxima clam which I have had at the bottom of the tank for a few months now.. I have noticed that it has not been opening up and spreading as the other clams in the tank do. So i decided yesterday to move it a bit higher in the tank with more light.

This morning just having a look at the clams etc, noticed it is a bit more open but the bit that normally comes out of the clam is still inside the shell and the mouth on the clam is gaping open wide.. I have tried moving my hand over the clam to see if it responds but nothing.. any ideas? I dont think it is too well at the moment.

Strange, moved my hand over it before and it closed.. may be coming back to life.

How do you tell if it is sick? or if it has died?

[freemchr]

Here are some pics taken of the clam just then.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/freemchr/Clam/DSC00373.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/freemchr/Clam/DSC00375.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/freemchr/Clam/DSC00374.jpg

Tried moving my hand over it again and even picking it up and does nothing..

[freemchr]

I moved my hand over it again before and it tried to close up.. then reopened .. maybe it just isnt well at the moment..

[ROB2005]

It looks like the adductor muscle that closes and opens the shell has ceased to function. I'm sorry, but that clam is pretty much....done for. Best to remove him before he becomes a pollutant to your tank.

[Reef Mongoose]

if it is still responding to light change by closing then I would leave it be, if it isn't really moving then get it out before it fouls everything up