Tear in Clam! Now what?

Discussion in 'Clams' started by jonjonwells, Dec 6, 2013.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2008
    Messages:
    2,835
    Location:
    SE Kansas
    My clam has a tear in it now. Not sure how long it has been there or how it got there.

    Will this thing heal? Is my clam doomed?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Click Here!

  3. _alex_

    _alex_ Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2012
    Messages:
    222
    Did it just happen? Did you move it? Add something new? How long have you had it? What are water parameters? What kind of lighting?


    -Alex-
     
  4. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Wish I had some first hand experience with this situation.

    Guess it comes down to if the clam is expanding normally? I would be inclined to think that if the circulatory systems between the intake and output siphons remains competent with the clam able to adequately preform gas exchange than I would think the tear would be non life threatening.

    Photosynthesis is going on in the tissues so I would think nutrition would not be compromised.

    Guess time will tell. No idea how the tear occurred or whether is a secondary symptom to another problem with the clam?
     
  5. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2008
    Messages:
    2,835
    Location:
    SE Kansas
    Clam hasn't moved in the last year. Have had him for almost 3 or 4 now.... honestly can't remember how long.

    My main worry is that it is a disease of some sort. I can't imagine what would cause a tear. At least it is reacting to light extremely well.
     
  6. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Got any big inverts like hermits, arrow crabs...? Very strange indeed.
     
  7. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2008
    Messages:
    2,835
    Location:
    SE Kansas
    No inverts except my serpent star. I had a long term CBS, but he finally passes away 6 months ago.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
    Messages:
    3,471
    Not really enough info. I'm not aware of a disease that would cause tearing, but possible. If not, more likely something nipping at it. If it was an isolated event, with good water quality noncritical tears can certainly heal. You could try building some kind of screen mesh structure to put over it to keep any irrigators away and try to observer to see what could have done it. Could even have been something like a snail knocking over a small rock though and falling on it, or heck even a snail falling on it...