Is my Maxima Doomed?

JurisHP

New Member
So it's now been 14 days. Not only has his foot not attached, he is still only showing a little of the mantle. He still does react if something gets close. He is always open a bit and then closes tight if I pick him up. But then opens a bit again.

My parameters are:

Ca: 450
Alk: 7
Mg: 1300
N03-.64 (I know it's high I have been fighting Nitrates forever)
P04:- .36
Iodine: .03

I have 3 Radions about 13" above the water.

I dose NoPox and AcroPower.
 

Uncle99

Well-Known Member
Your water is not in the preferred parameters
Alk should be 8-9 and highly stable
Your phosphates are about 10 times where you should be (0.03-0.07)

Nitrate is best between 2-5ppm

If he is closed, perhaps he is not used to your lighting intensity,

Move to bottom, correct your nutrients issue resist touching him, wait till he opens.

Inspect shell for any signs of pests.

Generally maxis love real intense light, want to be on a rock, but if you don’t know what par he was kept at versus your DT par, it’s best to lower light and increase very slowly ( months) when mantle is wide.

You could shoot a small cloud of phyto about 2” inches from the clam, all flow off, see if he pumps once or twice.

If he does, we know he is getting food.

While the mantle is closed he is not eating.
 
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Uncle99

Well-Known Member
If he does not spread that mantle then yes he is doomed, of course that's where virtually all his nutrition comes from.

Pics might help members more.

Had one that stopped opening once, found an aptasia by the edge.
Also look for tiny little white snails by the foot. If present, remove each and every one.

Clams not opening can be for many reasons.

I assume this was not from an LFS?
 

JurisHP

New Member
If he does not spread that mantle then yes he is doomed, of course that's where virtually all his nutrition comes from.

Pics might help members more.

Had one that stopped opening once, found an aptasia by the edge.
Also look for tiny little white snails by the foot. If present, remove each and every one.

Clams not opening can be for many reasons.

I assume this was not from an LFS?
IMG_3367.jpg
 

JurisHP

New Member
If he does not spread that mantle then yes he is doomed, of course that's where virtually all his nutrition comes from.

Pics might help members more.

Had one that stopped opening once, found an aptasia by the edge.
Also look for tiny little white snails by the foot. If present, remove each and every one.

Clams not opening can be for many reasons.

I assume this was not from an LFS?

So based on the photo, is there hope? Or should I give up?
 

Uncle99

Well-Known Member
Can see much, too much blue.
Need pic in natural light, one of which taken from the top.

Put him on a piece of rock, he don’t like sand.

Is there anything in your tank that could nip at the mantle?

If he dies, the shell will just open, at this point discard, until then, take him off the sand and put on a small flat rock, one that can be moved later with him attached
 

JurisHP

New Member
Can see much, too much blue.
Need pic in natural light, one of which taken from the top.

Put him on a piece of rock, he don’t like sand.

Is there anything in your tank that could nip at the mantle?

If he dies, the shell will just open, at this point discard, until then, take him off the sand and put on a small flat rock, one that can be moved later with him attached
 

Uncle99

Well-Known Member
I am a bit lost
You ask if he’s doomed, why do you think this?
While he’s not fully open, he’s appears far from doomed,
Clams enjoy perfect water conditions that are stable.
Other than working on lowering those nutrients levels, N and P and maintaining Alk in the 8-9 range, I would just not touch him at all.
 

JurisHP

New Member
I am a bit lost
You ask if he’s doomed, why do you think this?
While he’s not fully open, he’s appears far from doomed,
Clams enjoy perfect water conditions that are stable.
Other than working on lowering those nutrients levels, N and P and maintaining Alk in the 8-9 range, I would just not touch him at all.
His foot still isn’t attached and he hasn’t opened fully even 2 weeks in. He is on a flat rock.
 

Uncle99

Well-Known Member
He is likely stressed out, shipping is quite hard on livestock.
Other than managing water, little you can do other than just leave alone and watch. Moving will just add to the stress.

I have 4 clams but I picked them out myself and transport is about 20 minutes for me

See where he goes in the next week.
 

JurisHP

New Member
He is likely stressed out, shipping is quite hard on livestock.
Other than managing water, little you can do other than just leave alone and watch. Moving will just add to the stress.

I have 4 clams but I picked them out myself and transport is about 20 minutes for me

See where he goes in the next week.
Thank you for all of your input. GREATLY appreciated.
 
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