What's Going On With This Clam?

reefshadow · 03-11-2004, 02:41 AM

Hi, All!-

I've had this squamosa for about a 1 1/2 years. A couple of months ago I noticed some a lightened area on the mantle, but wrote it off as some kind of minor surface injury. However, it's still there, 2 months later! What is it? I have 4 clams total, the squamosa, a juvenile derasa and two croceas. All the clams look great and are growing like gangbusters. This one has gone from 3 inches to almost 7. I inspect periodically for pyramid snails, but have never seen even one on any clam. (looked at night, too)

The clam actually looks great. I can see that it is still rapidly growing, and is not gaping or showing any other signs of stress. It is on the sandbed under dual 250 ushio 10k's, and 3x 110 vho's. I keep calcium @ about 400, alk @ 10 dkh, temp @ 80 degrees.

This appeared after a long session of aquascaping, but I can't definately say I damaged it. I can't think of any other changes that would explain it.

If you look very closely at the area you can see what looks kind of like scratches? what does damage due to snails look like?

Thanks! -Becca

reefshadow · 03-11-2004, 02:53 AM

Here's a closer pic...

Brucey · 03-11-2004, 04:37 AM

RS .... Hi mate. Don't know the answer to your question but just wanted to say what a gorgeous clam. I'm no expert but I'm guessing it is absolutley nothing to worry about. We'll wait for the experts to chime in
brucey

wooddood · 03-11-2004, 06:51 AM

pm barry at clams direct im sure he can help you out becca.

mick77 · 03-11-2004, 09:48 AM

I have no idea, but great lookin clam!

EdgeKrusher · 03-11-2004, 10:06 AM

The only problem I see with that clam is that it should be in my tank. LOL J/k that's a beautiful Clam, good work Becca!

Peace

EK

ReefLady · 03-11-2004, 08:15 PM

That clam is gorgeous - fantastic coloring. As far as the 'discoloration', I'm really not sure. Are your bulbs getting on the older side?

I wonder if clams might exhibit some sort of coloration change as they grow? I hope Barry jumps in here - I'm curious myself. Sorry I couldn't help!

Witfull · 03-11-2004, 08:27 PM

it looks like tissue damage. it may have been bumped or had a rock sit on it briefly. as i looked close i could see styations in the tissue membrane and that the Zoox is reduced, or clouded over in the area. sounds as if it has healed due to it not expanding. and the clam is stil alive after a few months as you stated. it may regain its pattern or it may not.

Maxx · 03-11-2004, 08:52 PM

It looks like a bit of bleaching in the mantle where some of the Zooxanthellae have been expelled. When you did your aquascaping, was the clam subjected to a change in lighting?
I don't believe its serious, (especially since its still growing) because the spots arent much lighter than the rest of the clam.
Nick

Pro_builder · 03-11-2004, 09:53 PM

Wish my clams looked that good

reefrunner · 03-11-2004, 10:17 PM

Could be getting a bit too much light or some UV burning. Squamosas need less light than croceas, maximas and derasas. If it is in the hot spot of your MH, you might move it out a bit to the fringe area of the bulb.

Playa · 03-12-2004, 12:43 AM

Awesome looking Squamosa Rebecca.

reefshadow · 03-12-2004, 04:04 AM

Thanks for all the replies, everyone!

I really haven't changed the clams position in relation to the light, but my halides are going on 14 months. I should have new lamps in any day now.

I really do suspect somekind of injury because of the striations that Witt pointed out, but I just don't know. Zoox is obviously expelled some from that area.

I guess i'll just hope that it goes away, but really the clam doesn't look that bad, as many of you so kindly pointed out

This is actually my fave clam, I like it even better than the blue croceas. I think it's the pattern.

Thanks! -Becca

Marco · 03-19-2004, 02:44 PM

Just out of curiousty do you have any Centropyge angels in your tank? The reason I ask is I had a problem with a Potters Angel nipping on a Derasa Clam and the injury looked exactly like what you have.

nivek · 03-19-2004, 07:57 PM

Welcome!! Marco

03-11-2004, 02:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
reefshadow Ricordea Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: washington Posts: 196 View Gallery Karma Komment	What's Going On With This Clam? Hi, All!- I've had this squamosa for about a 1 1/2 years. A couple of months ago I noticed some a lightened area on the mantle, but wrote it off as some kind of minor surface injury. However, it's still there, 2 months later! What is it? I have 4 clams total, the squamosa, a juvenile derasa and two croceas. All the clams look great and are growing like gangbusters. This one has gone from 3 inches to almost 7. I inspect periodically for pyramid snails, but have never seen even one on any clam. (looked at night, too) The clam actually looks great. I can see that it is still rapidly growing, and is not gaping or showing any other signs of stress. It is on the sandbed under dual 250 ushio 10k's, and 3x 110 vho's. I keep calcium @ about 400, alk @ 10 dkh, temp @ 80 degrees. This appeared after a long session of aquascaping, but I can't definately say I damaged it. I can't think of any other changes that would explain it. If you look very closely at the area you can see what looks kind of like scratches? what does damage due to snails look like? Thanks! -Becca __________________ 240 gallon glass mixed reef 2x 250 watt m.h., 2x 175 watt m.h., 3x 110 watt vho's. 55 gallon propagation tank, 2x 96 watt pc's Empty 125 gallon tank reefer girrrl!

03-11-2004, 02:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
reefshadow Ricordea Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: washington Posts: 196 View Gallery Karma Komment	Here's a closer pic... __________________ 240 gallon glass mixed reef 2x 250 watt m.h., 2x 175 watt m.h., 3x 110 watt vho's. 55 gallon propagation tank, 2x 96 watt pc's Empty 125 gallon tank reefer girrrl!

03-11-2004, 04:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
Brucey Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Reading, England Posts: 1,292 View Gallery Karma Komment	RS .... Hi mate. Don't know the answer to your question but just wanted to say what a gorgeous clam. I'm no expert but I'm guessing it is absolutley nothing to worry about. We'll wait for the experts to chime in brucey __________________ 160UK Gallon. (192US Gallon). 400Lbs LR. Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Shorty skimmer. Arcadia 3Series pendant (3x250W 14,000'K MH & 2x58W 60" actinic) (DIY cooling fan). Tunze 7095 Multicontroller & 2xTunze 6100 Streams. Redsea 100 Aquazone Plus ozonizer and redox computer. Aquamedic Ocean Runner 6500 return. TMC Vectron 30W UV sterilizer. Aquamedic Aquaniveau auto top up system through Deltec 500 kalk stirrer. PurityOnTap RO/DI. Deltec FR509 (ROWAPhos). Aquamedic PH computer controlling KNOP HD Calcium Reactor. Setup Nov 2002 See my tank here http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...&threadid=4486

03-11-2004, 06:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	pm barry at clams direct im sure he can help you out becca. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

03-11-2004, 09:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
mick77 Serpent Star Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 232 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have no idea, but great lookin clam! __________________ A mollusk and a squid walk into a bar.........

03-11-2004, 10:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
EdgeKrusher Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN Posts: 716 View Gallery Karma Komment	The only problem I see with that clam is that it should be in my tank. LOL J/k that's a beautiful Clam, good work Becca! Peace EK __________________ ((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º> ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸>< ((((º>¸¸.·´¯`·.¸. `·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.

03-11-2004, 08:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,029 View Gallery Karma Komment	That clam is gorgeous - fantastic coloring. As far as the 'discoloration', I'm really not sure. Are your bulbs getting on the older side? I wonder if clams might exhibit some sort of coloration change as they grow? I hope Barry jumps in here - I'm curious myself. Sorry I couldn't help! __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

03-11-2004, 08:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	It looks like a bit of bleaching in the mantle where some of the Zooxanthellae have been expelled. When you did your aquascaping, was the clam subjected to a change in lighting? I don't believe its serious, (especially since its still growing) because the spots arent much lighter than the rest of the clam. Nick __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

03-11-2004, 09:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Wish my clams looked that good __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

03-11-2004, 10:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
reefrunner Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cedar Key, FL Posts: 1,069 View Gallery Karma Komment	Could be getting a bit too much light or some UV burning. Squamosas need less light than croceas, maximas and derasas. If it is in the hot spot of your MH, you might move it out a bit to the fringe area of the bulb. __________________ Kevin Check out my gallery!

03-12-2004, 12:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Playa Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, FL Posts: 1,451 View Gallery Karma Komment	Awesome looking Squamosa Rebecca.

03-12-2004, 04:04 AM	#13 (permalink)
reefshadow Ricordea Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: washington Posts: 196 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for all the replies, everyone! I really haven't changed the clams position in relation to the light, but my halides are going on 14 months. I should have new lamps in any day now. I really do suspect somekind of injury because of the striations that Witt pointed out, but I just don't know. Zoox is obviously expelled some from that area. I guess i'll just hope that it goes away, but really the clam doesn't look that bad, as many of you so kindly pointed out This is actually my fave clam, I like it even better than the blue croceas. I think it's the pattern. Thanks! -Becca __________________ 240 gallon glass mixed reef 2x 250 watt m.h., 2x 175 watt m.h., 3x 110 watt vho's. 55 gallon propagation tank, 2x 96 watt pc's Empty 125 gallon tank reefer girrrl!

03-19-2004, 02:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
Marco Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1 View Gallery Karma Komment	Just out of curiousty do you have any Centropyge angels in your tank? The reason I ask is I had a problem with a Potters Angel nipping on a Derasa Clam and the injury looked exactly like what you have. __________________ 18 yrs. in the hobby, 10gal., 30gal., 180 gal eco-system in progress

03-19-2004, 07:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
nivek Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Penang, Malaysia Posts: 367 View Gallery Karma Komment	Welcome!! Marco __________________ "Hey Yoda! Stop playing with my orange lightsaber!" - Master Nivek

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