PDA

View Full Version : Problems with my Derasa


wharfrat48
01/09/2009, 10:32 AM
I have had a blue-lipped Derasa for about 7 years now. Almost the size of a football, she is one of my favorite animals. During a recent absence, my heater malfunctioned and the temp, usually stable at 79-80, dipped to at least 75 or so. I'm really not sure how low the temp got or how long the temp stayed low-- probably a day, maybe two.

All other livestock looks fine, but the clams intake remains VERY tightly shut. Sometimes with its "lips" overlapping, sometimes drawn into the body cavity. When I first got home it was barely opening during the day, but has since started to open about 2/3 of normal.

I dont have exact tank parameters with me, but the tank has held steady parameters for over 5 years. I did check some parameters when I got back, Ca 375, alk 3.5, pH 8.2. All the same as they have been for years. No recent changes to the tank or its livestock except for the addition of about 20 astrea snails early last month. The two other clams (crocea, maxima) look normal. Check for snails at nght but none visable. Thought it might be pinched mantle, but now that it is opening more it is hard to say. Any ideas? Could the temp excursion be responsible?

Thanks

WayneY
01/09/2009, 11:19 AM
3.5 for alk seems low. Should be double that. good luck,I hope it bounces back for you.

wharfrat48
01/09/2009, 02:37 PM
Sorry that is meq/l for the alk

a4twenty
01/09/2009, 03:21 PM
post a couple pics please

wharfrat48
01/09/2009, 05:06 PM
You can see how tightly the intake is closed. It has never looked like that before.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/54215sick_derasa.jpg

chumm
01/09/2009, 09:39 PM
is that the only clam being affected?

wharfrat48
01/10/2009, 11:10 AM
here is a pic from this morning looks like the intake is sucked into the body of the clam

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/54215derasa2.jpg

wharfrat48
01/10/2009, 11:11 AM
it is the only clam being affected

wharfrat48
01/15/2009, 11:50 AM
No real change yet. Other clams still look fine. Here are a couple of close-ups of the intake siphon.

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk287/WharfRat48/derasa4.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk287/WharfRat48/derasa3.jpg