Clam and anemone buddies?

Mhayes462 · 04/29/2013, 09:27 PM

Has anyone ever seen an anemone and a clam hang out like this before? They've been this way for a few months now. The clam was there before the anemone. Then the anemone decided to move under the rock and come up right underneath the clam and brush against it and crowd it all day. At first I was worried and tried to move the clam, but it wouldn't let go. I decided to just leave it. I figured if the clam was unhappy then it would let go. Anyone have experience with this? Will the anemone eventually kill the clam?

Reefmedic79 · 04/29/2013, 10:20 PM

It's possible the anemone could harm the clam, but I think your right the clam would have tried to move or at very least be closed up if it were having any issues. That seems to be the prime real estate in your tank, lighting, flow ect... If the need does arrise I would do something to move the anemone as opposed to the clam. Changing the flow in the area would be the easiest way.

SOS · 04/29/2013, 11:17 PM

Cool! If the clam cared at all it would at least close. Looks like both inhabitants are happy and healthy.

RA · 04/30/2013, 07:16 AM

If it were mine I would move the clam. The anemone could irritate the clam over time and it won't open up as much as it should.

cakemanPA · 04/30/2013, 07:57 AM

In my experience with clams, they move when they don't like their surroundings. If the see the clam not opening or signs of damage, then carefully move it. I would not move either of them at the moment

Toddrtrex · 04/30/2013, 09:16 AM

I have had this happen on 2 different occasions, with no issues.

And,

cakemanPA · 04/30/2013, 09:20 AM

Damned color matching nems and clams? Coincidence? I think not!

That is awesome

Mhayes462 · 04/30/2013, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RA

If it were mine I would move the clam. The anemone could irritate the clam over time and it won't open up as much as it should.

The problem is, I don't want to go cutting on the clam. Plus, it sits right in the middle of a small bowl shape in the rock, so lifting it high enough to cut the threads would be very difficult. And it's stubborn, it just don't want to let go!

Mhayes462 · 04/30/2013, 12:14 PM

Thanks for the input. It seems that the hobby as a whole, just really doesn't know. The funny thing is, it has 4 folds on the mantle and the area around the second fold up from the bottom started dying a lil while back. I was sure the nem had caused it and it was a goner. The shrimps were picking at it and all. It healed up and bounced back just fine with the nem on it the whole time.

Psyops · 04/30/2013, 02:56 PM

Let the clam tell you whether he is happy or not. I have a biocube for years in my clinic that had a rose bubble anemone and a clam. Sorry I did not take any pics. The clam never seemed to care. I have moved the clam in my tank at home and it's about 7 inches now. It actually was happier in the biocube.

By the way Toddrtrex: I've seen better pics with more color (joke).

Alex

04/29/2013, 09:27 PM	#1
Mhayes462 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 331	Clam and anemone buddies? Has anyone ever seen an anemone and a clam hang out like this before? They've been this way for a few months now. The clam was there before the anemone. Then the anemone decided to move under the rock and come up right underneath the clam and brush against it and crowd it all day. At first I was worried and tried to move the clam, but it wouldn't let go. I decided to just leave it. I figured if the clam was unhappy then it would let go. Anyone have experience with this? Will the anemone eventually kill the clam?

04/29/2013, 10:20 PM	#2
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	It's possible the anemone could harm the clam, but I think your right the clam would have tried to move or at very least be closed up if it were having any issues. That seems to be the prime real estate in your tank, lighting, flow ect... If the need does arrise I would do something to move the anemone as opposed to the clam. Changing the flow in the area would be the easiest way. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

04/30/2013, 09:16 AM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I have had this happen on 2 different occasions, with no issues. And, __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/30/2013, 02:56 PM	#10
Psyops Still Learning Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Where my wife decides Posts: 714	Let the clam tell you whether he is happy or not. I have a biocube for years in my clinic that had a rose bubble anemone and a clam. Sorry I did not take any pics. The clam never seemed to care. I have moved the clam in my tank at home and it's about 7 inches now. It actually was happier in the biocube. By the way Toddrtrex: I've seen better pics with more color (joke). Alex __________________ GOT REEF! One tank short of a trial separation. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon reef. Just starting to convert to mainly SPS.

04/29/2013, 11:17 PM	#3
SOS Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 197	Cool! If the clam cared at all it would at least close. Looks like both inhabitants are happy and healthy.

04/30/2013, 07:16 AM	#4
RA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: S. Jersey Posts: 976	If it were mine I would move the clam. The anemone could irritate the clam over time and it won't open up as much as it should.

04/30/2013, 07:57 AM	#5
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	In my experience with clams, they move when they don't like their surroundings. If the see the clam not opening or signs of damage, then carefully move it. I would not move either of them at the moment

04/30/2013, 09:20 AM	#7
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	Damned color matching nems and clams? Coincidence? I think not! That is awesome

04/30/2013, 12:14 PM	#9
Mhayes462 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 331	Thanks for the input. It seems that the hobby as a whole, just really doesn't know. The funny thing is, it has 4 folds on the mantle and the area around the second fold up from the bottom started dying a lil while back. I was sure the nem had caused it and it was a goner. The shrimps were picking at it and all. It healed up and bounced back just fine with the nem on it the whole time.