Lost Clam

Moe · Dec 3, 2006

My newer tank has what appeares to be a small clam on the substrate. It was/is about 1/2" in dia. when open. I think it is a clam, because it open's then closes some times too, 1/2 day-full day. It look like coral in color with red around the wavy mouth opening. Not sure if it is a clam, but sure looks like one.

My question, I was moving/adding some live rock around and lost him, or he got buried a bit. Can he find his way to light? I looked for him for some time, but being so small when closed it is very hard to see. Any ideas, hate to lose him, he was my favorite recent discovery in the tank.

wet thumb · Dec 3, 2006

if indeed it is a clam, it is a great find. The clam can find it's way back to the top but I would try to find it so that you can feed it. A small clam needs to be fed phyto plankton or it will probably not survive.

Moe · Dec 5, 2006

wet thumb said:
if indeed it is a clam, it is a great find. The clam can find it's way back to the top but I would try to find it so that you can feed it. A small clam needs to be fed phyto plankton or it will probably not survive.

OK, thanks... I have not seen it again as of today. A clam is able to move around a bit?

Dumb question - how do you feed a clam, just add phyto plankton to the water or do I need to hand feed it? Is phyto plankton a liquid?

rcollick · Dec 5, 2006

This sounds more like a flame scallop. These are filter feeders and pretty hard to keep alive for a long period of time from what I have read. Wether it is a clam or scallop both will like DTs. A pic would really help with a better id.

ddcotter · Dec 5, 2006

rcollick said:
This sounds more like a flame scallop. These are filter feeders and pretty hard to keep alive for a long period of time from what I have read. Wether it is a clam or scallop both will like DTs. A pic would really help with a better id.

I would agree.

wet thumb · Dec 6, 2006

Use a liter bottle of pop and cut in half. Place the half with the spout, spout side up, over the clam and squirt some phyto plankton into the spout. The clam will filter out the phytoplankton.

Moe · Dec 7, 2006

Thanks for the help, but I still have not found it after watching it for two weeks. I am not sure if it is worth moving the live rock around and try to sift through the substrate? I am temping to try and find it by moving the live rock, but might stress things to much. The tank is fairly new, 3-4 months old.

I went and look at flame scallop picts, and what I can say is that I did not see any hairy looking things coming from the opening. It had a wavy mouth that was red outlined, when it closed up it looked like a rock. It small so it is really hard to get a good look at it, when closed not bigger then 1/4".

Thanks for the tip on feeding, interesting way.

Rene

Moe · Dec 7, 2006

Moe said:
I still have not found it

Well, right after typing the above I might have spotted it. I am not sure right now as it is not open. When it opens it will give itself away, if it is what I think it is. I can try and take a picture with my phone and see how it goes. My dig... camera I found out does not like rain, even what not being used!

I am probably spectating to much, but what do I do if it is a clam? It is at the bottom of my 55. I have a 1-150w HQI MH and 2- 15w actinic 03s is that enough light at he bottom of the tank. Do I try and move it, or let it grow first, or just let it stay in the substrate?

Moe · Dec 7, 2006

rcollick said:
Wether it is a clam or scallop both will like DTs. A pic would really help with a better id.

What is DTs?

thanks

emilese · Dec 7, 2006

Moe said:
What is DTs?

thanks

DT's is a brand of phytoplankton. You can find it at most LFS.

Moe · Dec 7, 2006

How can you embed a picture to these post or can you? Pictures can only be linked to a outside site?

I did find it, it just about came to the surface. I helped move it out of the substrate and into the light more. I see the under side looks somewhat concave and whitish.

Moe · Dec 8, 2006

Wanted to add.. Being I am new to the hobby and what I see, I am not sure it is a clam. To me it looks like clam. It has no traditional hard looking clam shell. Meaning a hard looking shall that opens and closes. It is concave on the underside, and half convet sphear outer side. It's color is coral like, with red wavy lips.. when it opens, it is coral looking with red wripple lips. Closed the lips puch together. not sure if that helps

Moe · Dec 28, 2006

Moe said:
Wanted to add.. Being I am new to the hobby and what I see, I am not sure it is a clam. To me it looks like clam.

After to talking to others I am thinking this is some type of coral, polyp? It is a single object and stays open most of the time, unless it is disturbed then closes. Just wanted to update the link.
thanks

cbonito · Dec 28, 2006

wet thumb said:
Use a liter bottle of pop and cut in half. Place the half with the spout, spout side up, over the clam and squirt some phyto plankton into the spout. The clam will filter out the phytoplankton.

Or you can take him out and put it in a bowl with some tankwater and put the phyto in there. when the water in the bowl clears he's good to go.

This ensures he's consuming everything, but nice idea nonetheless.

Moe · Dec 29, 2006

Thanks for everyones help. This site really helps me learn about this great hobby.

Thanks everyone...

Lost Clam

Moe

wet thumb

Moe

rcollick

ddcotter

wet thumb

Moe

Moe

Moe

emilese

Moe

Moe

Moe

cbonito

Moe

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities