Something is Eating At My Clam

bluespotjawfish · 12-25-2007, 11:45 PM

This has been going on for a week or so now. I am suspecting my Palani Tang, but any other ideas? I haven't ever seen him pick at my clam, but I got some new zoos a few weeks ago and he (or something) ate some of them. This started about the same time, and I notice more marks each day.

dobejazz · 12-25-2007, 11:47 PM

what other fish do you have? I have an evil onespot fox face that eats a varity of coral

blue_eyes53813 · 12-25-2007, 11:47 PM

Are you sure it is being picked at? There is an actual clam disease that makes the edges fold , but for the life of me cant remember what it is called.. Let me do some searching..

dobejazz · 12-25-2007, 11:49 PM

Pinched Mantle is what Blue eyes is going for I think - I'll try to get Whiskey to take a peek for ya

blue_eyes53813 · 12-26-2007, 12:00 AM

Ahhhh yes thank you Kelli,,, Brain fart, lol its late..Here is a link to clams direct, tons of info on here..

Clams Direct :: View topic - Pinched mantle

bluespotjawfish · 12-26-2007, 12:05 AM

Sixline Wrasse, Pyle Wrasse, Anthias, Midas Blenny, Yellow Tang (new), Mandarin, Blue/Green Chromis, percula clowns.

Other possible suspects:
Crabs
Cleaner Shrimp (don't usually see them around this part of the tank)
Midas Blenny (recently started hanging out in a hole near the clam)

It closes more often than it used to. I picked it up yesterday to check it over and didn't notice anything unusual (but I could have missed something). It is well attached to it's small rock, responsive to light/dark.

bluespotjawfish · 12-26-2007, 12:08 AM

This is a photo of the same clam taken in September.

Frankie · 12-26-2007, 01:05 AM

Lorraine, I am having a hard time seeing the problem. the clam seems ok in the picture. Could you get a close up of the area you are concerned with?

Whiskey · 12-26-2007, 02:34 AM

I would suspect the Midas blenny over all of the fish you listed.

The tang I would suspect a distant second.

It definitally doesn't look like pinched mantle to me,.. I think either something is picking at it (like you suspect) or it's being stung by LPS.

Whiskey

Witfull · 12-26-2007, 10:38 AM

how new is the yellow tang? coincidence?

bluespotjawfish · 12-26-2007, 01:36 PM

Sorry, that is the closeup. Let's try this. There are about 7-8 lines in a slightly curved shape together that spread about 1/2 inch across. Since it is this large across I am still thinking the Palani; however, the blenny is the most agressive little bugger in there. The problem started before the yellow tang was added.

Frankie · 12-26-2007, 06:07 PM

I see them! This could be the work of a crab.

Aquadelight · 12-26-2007, 07:02 PM

Actually, I have heard of various worms that hide under rock during the day that like to nible at things like clams during the night. I have plenty of worms under my reef, but no clam damage thus far. Only something I have heard.

bluespotjawfish · 12-26-2007, 08:02 PM

Another thought that occurred to me....think, think, think...you know the parallel lines on the glass that snails leave behind...kinda looks like that too.

I don't know that a crab would be as precise in his line making.

As far as I can tell, whatever is doing this isn't taking an entire bite out of it, just scraping at it.

goldenmean · 12-26-2007, 08:40 PM

Could you have Pyramidellid Snails?
I know they are active during the night but you might be able to see them during lights on on the shell or in the sand under the clam.
I don't have a clam but I remember reading about these snails. as clam predators. I don't know what type of damage they do.

12-25-2007, 11:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
dobejazz Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,248 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Something is Eating At My Clam what other fish do you have? I have an evil onespot fox face that eats a varity of coral __________________ Kelli

12-25-2007, 11:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 8,024 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Something is Eating At My Clam Are you sure it is being picked at? There is an actual clam disease that makes the edges fold , but for the life of me cant remember what it is called.. Let me do some searching.. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

12-25-2007, 11:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
dobejazz Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,248 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Something is Eating At My Clam Pinched Mantle is what Blue eyes is going for I think - I'll try to get Whiskey to take a peek for ya __________________ Kelli

12-26-2007, 12:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 8,024 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Something is Eating At My Clam Ahhhh yes thank you Kelli,,, Brain fart, lol its late..Here is a link to clams direct, tons of info on here.. Clams Direct :: View topic - Pinched mantle __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

12-26-2007, 12:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,943 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Something is Eating At My Clam Sixline Wrasse, Pyle Wrasse, Anthias, Midas Blenny, Yellow Tang (new), Mandarin, Blue/Green Chromis, percula clowns. Other possible suspects: Crabs Cleaner Shrimp (don't usually see them around this part of the tank) Midas Blenny (recently started hanging out in a hole near the clam) It closes more often than it used to. I picked it up yesterday to check it over and didn't notice anything unusual (but I could have missed something). It is well attached to it's small rock, responsive to light/dark. __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow Please Donate to the American Cancer Society: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/lorrainerichards

12-26-2007, 02:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
Whiskey Just some guy, you know? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 850 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Something is Eating At My Clam I would suspect the Midas blenny over all of the fish you listed. The tang I would suspect a distant second. It definitally doesn't look like pinched mantle to me,.. I think either something is picking at it (like you suspect) or it's being stung by LPS. Whiskey __________________ I'm the guy that ruined it for everyone. I say, what occurs to me to say, when it occurs to me to say it, much more I cannot say. Stop by and welcome me to RS,.. this takes you direct to my new pics: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...tml#post356787

12-26-2007, 07:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
Aquadelight Fire Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 73 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Something is Eating At My Clam Actually, I have heard of various worms that hide under rock during the day that like to nible at things like clams during the night. I have plenty of worms under my reef, but no clam damage thus far. Only something I have heard.

12-26-2007, 08:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,943 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Something is Eating At My Clam Another thought that occurred to me....think, think, think...you know the parallel lines on the glass that snails leave behind...kinda looks like that too. I don't know that a crab would be as precise in his line making. As far as I can tell, whatever is doing this isn't taking an entire bite out of it, just scraping at it. __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow Please Donate to the American Cancer Society: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/lorrainerichards

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