Help with my Clam

Pastor Salty

Reefing newb
My Clam is not opening up all the way.

When we first got it he opened up all the way showing off his wonderful purple and blue color and now is only opening up a small amount.

Is this normal? If not, what can I do to help the poor soul?

If so, then can anyone tell me what he is doing?
 
What kind of lighting do you have?

Is the clam still responsive (closes up) when you wave your hand over it or get near to it?
 
like biff saif what type of lighting are you using,

how big is it? if its still baby what are you feeding it
 
4 HO t5's 2 white 2 actinic

Medium size clam. Still responsive

Exact same lighting unit my LFS used to house him when I bought him.


whats the wattage, (dont mean to sound sarcastic) just cause your LFS had 4 bulb fixture doesnt mean its the exact same
 
whats the wattage, (dont mean to sound sarcastic) just cause your LFS had 4 bulb fixture doesnt mean its the exact same

You dont sound sarcastic at all.

Let me explain it better. We have the exact same fixture wattage and all.

Not sure the wattage exactly but it is high wattage.

My tank is a 75 gallon
 
Sounds like you might not have enough light to sustain one long term, they require very high lighting and very good water quality. They can also die if you damage their foot in trying to move them around.
 
Often LFS lighting isn't optimal, just enough to keep things alive while they are temporarily in the LFS tanks before going to a permanent home. So even if you have it under the same fixture that the LFS had it under that doesn't mean its got enough light. If its on the sand bed right now, is it possible to move it higher in your tank at all to get it closer to the lights?
 
If you do try to move it, be very, very careful. If it has attached its foot, you can very easily damage the foot to the point where it will be fatal to the clam
 
Water clarity is perfect according to the chart.

The lighting is sufficient. 10000K with the 2 bulbs and that doesnt include the LEDS and actinic bulbs.

I wonder if my Vallentini puffer is bothering him. He keeps nipping at his shell.
 
The puffer could very well be part of the issue, however I promise you that two t5 bulbs over either tank (75/46) is not enough light to keep that clam. I am also very curious as to what chart you are reading your water tests off of. What sort of tests are you doing? What are the actual number results?
 
If the clam mantle is being bothered by a puffer (who are known to eat clams) then the clam will stop extending its mantle all the way. If this goes on long enough, the clam starves because it is not able to use the mantle to collect energy from your lights - which sound like they are not sufficient to keep the clam long term, even if its mantle was fully extending
 
Nitrate levels are 0
Nitrite levels are 0
Ammonia levels 0
PH level is 8.2

Taking the Vallentini puffer from the 75 in the morning and placing him in the 46 at the church daycare center where I Pastor. Maybe this is why he wont open all the way up.

The wife is bummed about this since the puffer is her favorite but she also knows that clam cost $55.00. She said get rid of him... PRONTO!!! LOL
 
The puffer could very well be part of the issue, however I promise you that two t5 bulbs over either tank (75/46) is not enough light to keep that clam. I am also very curious as to what chart you are reading your water tests off of. What sort of tests are you doing? What are the actual number results?

4 t5's at 10000k each
 
Guess what!!!!

I took the puffer out of the tank and immediantly, (I mean on the spot) the clam opened up and hasnt really closed for 2 days!!!!!

The puffer was the culprit all the time. I have found 4-5 snails dead with a small round hole in their shell.

The puffer is now in a timeout in the churches 46 bowfront tank and doing well. FTR - no clams in that tank. :)

Thanks eveyone
 
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