I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

Discussion in 'Clams' started by Matt Rogers, May 11, 2004.

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  1. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Well my Crocea clam is nearly dead. Not sure if he is going to make it.  :'(

    The last few days he hasn't been happy on the rock, he had been for the most part for the few weeks I've had him. But the last few days, in the morning, he was nearly hanging off the rock by his foot. So today I did some research and decided it was safe to cut his foot near the rock and move him to the sand.

    Sure enough, I come home and I may have been too late. He was looking half dead hanging there. I think I may have been too rough this morning trying to detach him or he just has been pissed all day and I wasn't here to deal with it.  :-[

    So immediately I got a clean sharp blade I cut his foot and moved him to the sand.

    He looks nearly dead. I see movement and he's opened and closed his shell a couple times, but for the most part, he's gaping and his lips aren't extended. There was also a fishy smell coming from the tank.

    Again there is movement so I am leaving him for now, but I really think I was a day late and a dollar short in my decision to cut his foot.

    Anyone had a close call, but have them recover? Or is it once they are nearly gone, there is no coming back?

    [smiley=worried2.gif]
     
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  3. Land_Fish

    Land_Fish Guest

    Re: F**** I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

    Mine did the same thing and when I thought he was going to make it I got home and all I had was a shell.

    That sucks Matt and I for one will never buy one again it is a stab in the heart for sure.
     
  4. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Re: F**** I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

    Thanks Naut. Yeah it sucks.. What kills me is he's really been doing well for the most part, opening up big time. I just think I had him on a high beam and it was a balancing act. If a snail iritated him, which they did some times, and he reacted, he would really move around on the edge of that rock.

    I just got off the phone with Rick at Coral Dynamics. He said, it's probably really weak now and most likely what will happen is the bristle worms and crabs will move in tonight and finish him off because he's too weak to defend himself. UGH.

    I can't believe this, I just made up my mind today to cut him and put him on the sand. And I am 8 hours too late.
     
  5. JohnO

    JohnO Moderator

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    Re: F**** I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

    That's really sad news Matt, can you put the clam in a container inside the tank so it isn't attacked overnight?

    John
     
  6. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

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    Re: F**** I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

    Have you noticed any Hermits on it? I would try what John suggested. I have a very similar story but I was unable to save it. I spent hours fighting off the hermits but in the end I think it was the Bristle worns that finished him off.

    J
     
  7. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Re: F**** I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

    Thanks guys.. I thought about a container but I was worried that maybe he'd attach to that and I couldn't get him off, or it would keep crabs in it... what do you suggest?

    I have a plastic pint glass...tupper ware - although not deep.. maybe some glass ware... I don't want to hurt it more...

    I've never seen bristles bigger than a 1/2 inch in my tank... and I have small crabs... but it freaks me out that I smelled something coming from the tank when I got home... it was still moving but I think this is as close as it gets... :-/
     
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  9. new2salt2

    new2salt2 Fire Shrimp

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    Re: F**** I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

    gave you some karma
     
  10. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

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    Re: F**** I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

    Hey Matt is it's mantle still extended or is he all closed up. another thing to look for is if the mantle is retracted but it is open quite a bit. Not good. If you dare you could smell it. That would confirm any doubt real fast

    J
     
  11. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Re: F**** I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

    Yeah, it's been like that since I got home. I smelled it just walking near the tank. It's bad. I'm just leaving it a little longer for the chance in hell cuz I saw it moving still.. :(
     
  12. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Re: F**** I MAY HAVE KILLED MY CLAM!

    Well I am a wreck from lack of sleep, but the clam has actually improved a bit and is reacting to light and movement now!  :eek: 8)

    This might not be over yet!
    He is still a mess, really weak, and gaping. But I am somewhat encouraged that he is still alive.

    I had a cool idea why I tossed and turned... let's keep an eye on him with my web cam and see how he does with the halide today when the light comes on after 10am pacific time!

    [​IMG]
    This image will be updated every 5 minutes. Come back and see him again and wish him well.  :)

    (EDIT - Looks like I am going home at lunch to check in and TURN THE COMPUTER BACK ON! :-X Did I mention lack of sleep? ::))