Maxima Bleached?

I have had a Maxima clam for about 9 months now. It was about 3.5" when I purchased it, and it has grown some since then. It's always been in the same place on the sandbed (24" deep). I've never had any problems with it, until recently.

I changed my lighting to LEDs back in October (from 250W MHs), for those that do not know. The clam seemed to respond just fine, there was no change in mantle extension, so I left him be.

About a month ago, the mantle seemed to be getting a bit "blotchy" on the left side. There were some vementid snails which had attached to the shell on that side, and I assumed their fishing lines were bothering the clam. So, I snipped off their tubes and made them go away.

Since then, the mantle has gotten worse. There are now some areas on it that are nearly snow white. The mantle still has the same extension, and has never retracted or gaped. The clam still responds normally to light changes.

Can you bleach a clam? I didn't think this was possible with a Maxima, especially at that depth. I'd think my corals up top would be toast if that was the case, but alas, everything else in the tank is thriving.

Other ideas? I will get pics later, but besides the lack of color, nothing appears wrong.

 

Does it look anything like this?

http://www.3reef.com/forums/clams/what-wrong-ps-clam-81659.html

 

I recalled that thread, and somewhat yes, but not exactly.

Didn't he end up losing it?

 

Sadly, yes. The mantle retreated and the clam closed in. He continued his journey in this thread.

 

I am of the mind that was you can bleach a clam, and that sounds like the reasonable explanation.

No ruffling on the edges of the mantle? (But PMD does not cause bleaching).

By your post it's sounds like every other thing about the clam is normal besides color loss.

The first question you would ask evolved " what are the parmaters"?

And I do not find it unusual that a Maxima that size is not attached.

 

LFS says parameters are perfect













*snickers*

I knew someone would ask.

Salinity: 35-36ppt
Temp 79-80
pH ~8.3
NH3/NO3/NO4 0
Phosphates 0
Ca 420
Alk 8
Mg 1400

Lighting schedule:
Blues: 12hrs/day
Whites: 8hrs/day

Mantle does look just fine (no ruffled edges), I see no signs of anything causing it direct harm.
It is not footed, as you suspect, and it never has.

This is the most recent pic I have, and it's not that great. You can see what I'm describing beginning to happen at the back left side.

Taken 3/9:

 

When I clicked on the image to zoom in, I can see what you are mentioning above. Is the clam sitting on a rock? If it doesn't have a good surface to foot to then that might be bothering it, but it wouldn't cause what looks to be bleaching which we see in your photo.

 

Yea I thought so your parameters are all out of wack!








Snickers.......

Sounds and looks related to photo/light to me, if it concerns you, reduce the lighting period and see if it makes a difference.

 

It's on a clam shell, just how it's always been since day 1.

 

Oh yes, the tank looks great BTW.