What would cause a crocea clam to turn white?

Discussion in 'Clams' started by KOgle, Jul 18, 2007.

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  1. KOgle

    KOgle Zoanthid

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    I've had a crocea clam for about 3 months now give or take and I've notived lately the mantle has lost some of it's deep blue color and turned kind of a slight white color. I don't think it's a lighting issue becasue it's under a 400 watt MH.
    I know some of you are going to ask for levels so I'll have them tomorrow.
    Can a clam get too much light? I tried moving it the other day but it's foot is attached to the bottom of the tank...
     
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  3. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Did you damage the foot?
    I killed mine that way. Be careful, I was wayyy too careless. ;)
     
  4. KOgle

    KOgle Zoanthid

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    Thanks for the quick reply Matt. I don't think I would have damaged the foot becasue when I tried to move it and it didn't come out of the sand I looked under the tank to see if I could see the foot on the glass. After seeing the foot I didn't try to move it.
    Also when moving it I very easily tried to pick it up. Didn't tug on it or anything.
    I'm going to go home and test my calcium/alk tonight to see where they're at. The effuent has slowed on my reactor lately so maybe that's the cause...
     
  5. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

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    Clams can expel their zooxanthellae just like a coral can so something is stressing it out for sure. If the clam is on the bottom of your tank though, I doubt it's from getting too much light.
     
  6. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

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    Is there something above your clam that is prohibiting the light from reaching your clam to its fullest? Maybe you have alot of DOM or particulate matter that is also deterring the full amount of light from reaching your coral.
    Yes, you should make sure your calcium level is ideal, and it is good to have around 10ppm of nitrates in your water for clams to feed on as well. With my three clams, I maintain my nitrates alittle higher than I should with no ill effects, in fact my corals and clams are thriving...
    Water parameters should be checked...Also what about your water flow? If it is too strong it could stress your clam.
    Possibly something irritating your clam as well...
    Unfortunately their are many variables that you will need to weed out, til you are able to pinpoint the problem!
    Good luck and hopefully your clam will make a full recovery!
     
  7. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    How hard did you try to move it ? Thats the leading cause of clams checking out. You pulled the ligament and its stressed or worse maybe ? If you pulled it to suddenly and to hard that may have caused the problem.. Was it already fading to white before you messed with it ? Or if not how soon after you tried to move it did It start to fade .
     
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  9. KOgle

    KOgle Zoanthid

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    Sorry about the late reply guys. My calcium reactor went on the fritz so I think that's why my calcium is low. Got that fixed though. No change in the color of the clam though.
    As for moving it, I pulled on it just hard enough to realize it was attached if that makes sense. It wasn't hard at all. I think it was bleaching before that though. I hope the low calcium levels are to blame.

    My nitrates are almost zero so maybe this is the problem? Maybe I should feed a little heavier for a week or two to see if this causes a change????
     
  10. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Hook one of these up to the Ca reactor and crank it up....;D

    Come on you can't take that money with you once your gone. :tongue4:

    Your old lady will just write you a check and put it in the coffen so you can take it with you....;D
     
  11. KOgle

    KOgle Zoanthid

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    Nah, no need to spend $300. I'll just keep the calcium reactor clean.

    In the 5 days I've had the reactor working again the clam has already regained some color. It's still showing signs of stress but it's well on the road to recovery.