I just got some new clams and wanted a little discussion.

[AcroSteve]

I have a derasa that was attached to the bottom glass, but never very securely. I recently added some more clams and due to the need to make a little more room and the fact that the derasa was crosswasys in the front of the tank, I tested it to see how well it was attached. Well it was not attached at all. There were still som bissal threads attached to the bottom, but when I shook the clam slightly, it all fell off clean. The pice that fell off was like snot. Clam was/ is very healthy and normal looking.

I inspected the bottom of the clam and notice one small bristle-worm and many small flatwork like creatures. I doubt they are flatworms, unless they are immune to fw exit. They were white with grey spots. They were on the bottom of the clam, but not concentrated in any one area.

The clam had always been on the tank bottom with about 1.5" of sand. Initially, over time it moved itself about 6" from its initial location and settled down slightle.

Do you think it just was never satisfied with its location and therefore, was not attached well?

One of the new clams is a crocea. When I got it, I could see down through the intake and out the bissel hole. This clam has always had a good reaction and shows very good extension, but the intake is gaped open. The clam itself is not open really wide like I have seen in photos. What can I do to help this clam out?

Another of the new clams is a pohnpei maxima that looked very good in the photo. When I got it, all the scales around the top were broken off. Not a real big deal. Bet the clam has not yet shown a good extention of the mantle. It has a good reaction and is "active" just not much extention. What can I do about this one?

New clams have just been in the tank 24 hours.

Sorry no pics - I left the camera at work, but in this old pic you can see the orientation of the derasa I was describing. Clam is now just to the left of where it was and perpendicular to the front glass. Pretty much between where the two mushrooms were.


http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/March2004/23rd/FullTankRight032304.jpg

[Julio]

I have four pomphei clams in my tnak and they take a littel bit of time to get adjusted to the tank but in due time they will extend theri mantle nto to worry. I guess these guys are just a little more weary about captivity, but they have trmendous colors.

[CTN1983]

Since you only had them for about 24 hours, they are probably not well adjusted to their new environment yet..(salinity, light intensity, etc) I say give them more time. I remember when I got my first Deresa, it took a while before it fully expanded.

In my opinion, crocea are known to gap occasionally...as long as it has good reaction and extension, you shouldn't worry too much.

[AcroSteve]

This may not be unique to calms, but I will throw it out for discussion anyway.

The shipping water I got in these two shipments had a ph of 7.4 and 7.0. Salinity on both were right were I expected it to be. Is it normal for the ph to drop this low during shipping? Variation between the bags in each shipment was no more than .2

Update on the pohnpei, Extension is a little better today and reaction is still good. Hard to tell at this point, but there may be some central bleaching.

The crocea is looking better. Great extention, but the siphon is still gaping slightly.

[Julio]

is very normal since the animal is producing ammonia in the bag wich brings the PH down pretty fast, which why the acclimation period is important so they don't get shocked.

[CTN1983]

What type of lights were the clams under before you got them? (dealer's tank)

Central bleaching is cause when the clam is place under a sudden increase under high intense lighting, if your clam is indeed bleaching, you should put it under a lower light source, than over time, SLOWLY increase the light intensity...giving the clam enough time to produce enough pigments to shield it from the UV rays.

[AcroSteve]

Not sure about the dealers tank other than they were 10k's like mine. This particular one came from ClamsDirect.

Edit: "We are using 150 DE HQI's in our shallow tanks ( 15") and 250 DE HQI in our deeper tanks ( 20" ) "

Not sure which tank it came from though.

I will say that this particular clam is the most shaded of all of the new clams in the tank(6). Not that it is actually shaded per say, but there is some overhanging coral about 6" above it.

It is 28" from my bulb 20 of that being water. I thought bleaching was from lo little light, not too much. The part that is pale is the central part, not the mantle that is actually getting all the light.

[CTN1983]

From what I've heard, Barry from clamsdirect takes great care of all his clam...(i hope to order some of his clams during the summer.)...I'm not positive, but I'm sure he keeps all his clams under metal halides...so lighting shouldn't be the cause of your clam's central bleaching...Do you have any pictures of the infected clam?

I've never dealt w/ central bleaching w/ any of my clams, so I can't really recommend any tips to treat the infection...sorry

[Julio]

all the clams in my main tank are from Barry at Clams direct, 7 in total and never lost a singele one, they are professionally packed and held under matal halide at his facility, those of you that plan on getting anything from him, you won't be disapointed and is easy to get addicted to clams.

[AcroSteve]

I left my camera at work, so no pics yet.

I should get some pics on Monday.

It could just be the coloration of the clam, I am just not sure yet.

[Barry N.]

Edit: "We are using 150 DE HQI's in our shallow tanks ( 15") and 250 DE HQI in our deeper tanks ( 20" ) "

Your were under the 150 HQI.

Update on the pohnpei, Extension is a little better today and reaction is still good. Hard to tell at this point, but there may be some central bleaching.

Glad to hear that the clams are doing better. When these speciments are shipped, there is no way to avoid some shipping stress. :( When they come in from overseas they can be in a closed bag for up to 30+ hours before hitting the wholesalers tanks. It just takes time to acclimate to new environment. :)

[AcroSteve]

Looking better all the time. Thanks for the info Barry.

Right now, I have the best extention so far. It is not even though. The part of the mantle getting the least amount of light is extended the most. Should get better in time.

And the crocea is looking better too. The 2nd crocea has always looked spectacular and has never been a problem.

[AcroSteve]

Here are the pics.

This derasa is a clam I have had for quite some time now. PhishyBusiness. I really wish it would not keep moving towards ther front glass and turning sideways.
http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/GoldDerasa.jpg

These 2 Maxima's were from East Coast.
http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/BlueMaxima.jpg

http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/GoldMaxima.jpg

This is the Pohnpei maxima that I am wondering about. ClamsDirect.
http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/LavenderPohnpeiMaxima.jpg

This is a crocea I got from East Coast.
http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/Blue_GoldCrocea.jpg

These last two came from ClamsDirect. 1st one is the one that was gaping a little bit.
http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/GreenCrocea.jpg

http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/BlueCrocea.jpg

Still wondering about the extention of the pohnpei maxima. Now that you have a pic, what do you think?

[Barry N.]

Some of the Pohnpe have a thick and heavy shell and will not expand like the clams with thinner shells. :)

[AcroSteve]

That would describe the one I have. :)

Well, actually, that one and the 2nd from the last crocea belong to my buddy(or will soon).

The rest are all mine.

[CTN1983]

All your clams look beautiful and healthy! :eek2: The only one I might worry about is the fourth pic down of the Phonpei Maxima. Some parts of the mantle seems to be retracted..but as Barry stated, it's probably the thick shell


As for the central bleaching you were worry about in your previous post, I don't see any signs of bleaching on any of them :)

[AcroSteve]

Just being overly cautious, I guess.

[Julio]

love te color on the grayish looking maxima very nice pattern on the dresea as well.

[AcroSteve]

I got home from work today and saw two dissapointing things.

1st, the derasa is moving back along side the glass and not staying where I would like it.

http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/deresa_4_20_04.jpg




And the pohnpei maxima is not looking very good.

http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/Pohnpei_4_20_04.jpg

I rotated it 180 degrees to see if it is related to the light level, but as you can see the mantle around the siphon does not look good at all.

Reaction was significantly reduced from yesterday.

Photo was take pre-rotation.

Comments.

[holeinone1972]

Bummer, the Pohnpei did not look good in the first pic. Central bleaching seemed obvious to me.

I do not have any experience with these so no advice, but it looks to be a goner.

Sorry, Rob

btw nice pics.

[AcroSteve]

Originally posted by holeinone1972
I do not have any experience with these so no advice, but it looks to be a goner.



Anything in particular I can do for this clam? More shade? Feed it? Rub it's belly?

[holeinone1972]

Are you religous? Prayer is my only advice.

I am surprised it looks this bad. Barry @ Clamsdirect is a first class guy, but every once in a while we all lose one.

I will keep my fingers crossed also.

rob

[Julio]

my pompheis loo like that when they really need feeding, so i would feed them on a daily basis for a week and you will see the mantle open up a lot more. These clams seem to be a little more high maintaintenance as they seem to rwuire a little more food then the cultured ones.

[AcroSteve]

The maxima is looking better. Yesterday, I fed it twice, This feeding required that I move it out into full light and the mantle extention today is a lot more even and the reaction is decent.

Mantle still looks a little "thick" on the edges around the siphon. Bleaching is evident also.

Please not the clam has been rotated 180 from the previous pics.

http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/Pohnpei22.JPG


This Crocea has some damage to the mantle in the bottom right of this pic. Seems like this area is getting larger. I figured it was a little shipping damage and would heal up. Is this common for it to increase in size initially?


http://www.waterloocoal.com/csb/images/April2004/GreenCrocea22.JPG

[Julio]

great blck mantle

[Barry N.]

Steve,

Looks like they have been rolling in the sand. :)

[AcroSteve]

Actually, most of that is microbubbles. I have a slight leak on my CL that I cannot find.

And some of it is probably sand where the clams have been blowing it around trying to get dug into the sandbed.

[Barry N.]

trying to get dug into the sandbed.

Did you place a flat piece of rock under the clam so when he starts to bore he will attach? That will help him from boring so much. :)

[AcroSteve]

Right now, I have a pvc ring under them. They will be getting transfered to anothe tank soon.