HELP, Green star polyps taking over clam

[efird1]

I have just recently bought a 180g bow front with a blue maxima clam in it. It also has a lot of green star polyps that have covered the clam completely except for his mantle. Any way I can get the star polyps off without hurting the clam?
I will post a picture in a minute so you can see.

Thanks,

[dkerns06]

I wouldn't worry about it, i have a crocea that is covered but it doesn't bother it. I just give it a hair cut every once in a while.

[efird1]

Thanks, It doesn't seem to bother him at all, just would like to see the whole clam!

[marc49127]

Green star polyps are the devil!!!

[liquidlunch]

sounds like you have a bearded clam :thumbsup:

[seapug]

As others have said, it probably won't hurt the clam but GSP can be pretty easy to remove with a pair of tweezers. Find a leading growth edge and peel it off like a sticker. I've gotten pretty "rough" cleaning my clams' shells in the past and never had a problem. Get the clam to close up and you can brush and pick at them pretty aggressively. As long as you dont rip the byssus or mutilate the mantle it should be fine.