Crocea's not opening... One dying... Chitons? PICS

[tang_man_montreal]

Help.

I have 6 clams in my tank.
- 3 Croceas (one which I've had for 2 years, other 2 are recent additions, 1 & 3 months ago)
- 2 Maxima's (both over 6-10 months in my tank)
- 1 11" Squamosa. (2 years old, in my tank for 6 months)

The passed few days, I've noticed that the Crocea's are not extending their mantles. The Maxima's and Squamosa seem unaffected at all.

Water params are good. Tests done with Salifert tests and probes.

SG 1.025
temp 80
pH: 8.1
dKH: 8.2
CA: 425
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0.2

Today, Upon getting home from work, I noticed that my oldest Crocea's mantle is VERY pulled in, and the clam is unresponsive.
I pulled the clam out of the tank, looking for pyram snails, and didn't find any. What I did find however, are Chitons all along the base of the clam. White ones, and pink ones of the likes I've never seen before.

I've attached some pictures. Including some closeups of the base and foot which looks strange.

I'm going to try a freshwater dip now (looking up instructions as I've never done one) as a last ditch effort to save this clam.

Please advise....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Clams/IMG_1453Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Clams/CloseupSmall.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Clams/IMG_1454Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Clams/IMG_1455Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Clams/IMG_1456Small.jpg

[Julio]

sorry to hear about yoru loss, i just lost a clam too. Did you have it sitting on the sand bed?

[PSEUDOREEFER]

Very interesting looking Chitons. Maybe a post in Calfo's forum would help (maybe these are some sort of clam eating chiton). If the clam dies, you could see if any of those chitons are eating the inside of the clam.

[zombiereef]

let us know how the freshwater dip went. i have a crocea that has been acting funny too. i fwd'd it and it seems to be opening up a lot better. i didnt have any critters on mine though. i hope it pulls through.

[tang_man_montreal]

Julio,
I'm hoping it's not a loss yet... fingers crossed...

PSEUDOREEFER,
Thanks, I posted in Anthony's forum...

mbunakeith,
I just did the fresh water dip for 25 mins, adjusted pH and temp to match that of my tank. Hopefully I'll see an improvement tomorrow.

[AlgaeMan]

I've just recently lost 6 clams. All were doing great for many months then I added a new crocea. It never really opened all the way and passed away a few days later. When I picked it up the whole foot just fell out including a 8" bristle. A few days after that all of my clams started having the same symptoms. I'm thinking the new clam has parasites or a disease and it spread to the rest of the clams.

[mbbuna]

Originally posted by AlgaeMan
I've just recently lost 6 clams. All were doing great for many months then I added a new crocea. It never really opened all the way and passed away a few days later. When I picked it up the whole foot just fell out including a 8" bristle. A few days after that all of my clams started having the same symptoms. I'm thinking the new clam has parasites or a disease and it spread to the rest of the clams.


sounds like you had PM

[AlgaeMan]

sounds like you had PM
What does PM stand for?

[tang_man_montreal]

Algaeman,
PM = Pinched Mantle

The clam in the above picture is no longer with me... :(

[mbbuna]

sorry to hear hat Tang_man . I don't think that the chitons did it. the byssal gland on the clam really looked bad,it my have been damaged and got infected,and there's not much you could have done.

[tang_man_montreal]

I don't think the chitons did it either.
That clam was with me for about 2 years. The byssal gland did look strange to me as well, however it was attached to a rock for a long time. I'm still at a loss though as to what happened.

My other 2 croceas seem to be clamped as well, only slightly extending their mantles. Not sure if it's PM though.

My maxima's and my big squammy are doing great though.

[mbbuna]

tang_man why dont you post a bunch of pics of your other 2 crocea's