What is my clam expelling?

Discussion in 'Clams' started by kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010.

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  1. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Every day my 7" maxima clam expels white/clear stuff. It's kind of like stringy/mucus-y stuff. He's my only clam that does that. What is he spitting out?

    Thanks!
     
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    #1
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  2. xmetalfan99

    xmetalfan99 Giant Squid

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    Spawning?
     
    xmetalfan99, Jun 9, 2010
    xmetalfan99, Jun 9, 2010
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  3. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Ohh maybe... I never thought about that. I'm not sure how clams reproduce. I can Google it. Thanks for the idea!
     
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    #3
  4. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    +1...

    Sometimes it can indicate stress.
     
    Renee@LionfishLair, Jun 9, 2010
    Renee@LionfishLair, Jun 9, 2010
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  5. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    He seems happy....what would be other indicators that he is stressed?
     
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    #5
  6. RedGambit

    RedGambit Giant Squid

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    +1 Totally forgot about that till you mentioned it!
     
    RedGambit, Jun 9, 2010
    RedGambit, Jun 9, 2010
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  7. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Hmmmm from the videos I watched, what my clam is expelling doesn't look the same as when they are spawning. Spawning looks more like white smoke, and a lot of it, mine expels a clump of white stuff that breaks apart in the water.
     
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    #7
  8. Kevin3884

    Kevin3884 Tassled File Fish

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    he is spitting at your fish from blocking his rays 8) lol
     
    Kevin3884, Jun 9, 2010
    Kevin3884, Jun 9, 2010
    #8
  9. samsdb0

    samsdb0 Bristle Worm

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    i dont know jack about clams, but it sounds like he could be irritated, protecting itself, or is getting rid of extra co2
     
    samsdb0, Jun 9, 2010
    samsdb0, Jun 9, 2010
    #9
  10. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    Well I found this on a website: Clams will occasionally expel a brown or green stringy looking material from their exhalant siphon as shown in the picture above. This is not a cause for concern and appears to be the way in which the clam expels excess zooxanthellae or possibly other waste products.

    Even though it's not green or brown, maybe it's this?

    If he was irritated, wouldn't he try to move?
     
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    kcbrad, Jun 9, 2010
    #10
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