Derasa Clam Question

BiGBOi · 02/13/2002, 01:12 AM

I have a 2" derasa clam, and kind of new to keeping clams. I am curious if it is normal for them to close up for a long while, or is this a sign of something bad. This is the only time I have seen him close up since I have had him. (2 weeks) Any other time his mantle is out and he looks very healthy. I have him up at the top of my tank and has seemed to be doing very well. Any comments?

toptank · 02/13/2002, 10:07 AM

What kind of lighting do you have, T. derasa so not require high intense lighting. If he isn't opening then I would say that he isn't happy where he is. Are you feeding him or your tank? I feed my tank DT's every few days. Is there anything in you tank that is picking on him?

I would move him to your substrate and see if he likes it better.

Barry

chewie · 02/13/2002, 10:31 AM

I agree with toptank. I usually see deresa's on the sand bed not on the rocks. also try feeding him in a seperate container.

GH Sniper · 02/13/2002, 11:09 AM

T. Derasa is a sandbed loving clam. He may not be happy where he is at or something else is disturbing it. What type of light was it under in the LFS vs. what you have?

Some tank parameters/fish load would also help in finding a root cause. If they stay closed for too long they can start to bleach and could cause death of the clam. I hope you did acclimate your clam to your tank as well

BiGBOi · 02/13/2002, 01:09 PM

When the light came on today he looked like he was starting to open up. I will look at him later when the light has been on for a bit. Lighting is just 2x55w PC and it is a 20g tank. I tested my water and it was Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 0, pH 8.2, Ca 400 (kinda low, I keep it usually @ 480), Alk Not tested ( ran out of tests have to go get a refill today). He was only under PCs at the LFS. I feed phytoplan every day because I have a Scleronephthya that I target feed also. Like I said, yesterday was the first day he had closed up while the light was on. Every other day he has looked awesome and extended. Thanks

BiGBOi · 02/13/2002, 01:10 PM

Just looked at him again and he was closed up.

jim norris · 02/13/2002, 03:54 PM

BigBoi,
How long does he close up for? Does something (like a fish) go overhead? Pick him up and look real good for any rice snails more so around the edge of the shell.
Jim

BiGBOi · 02/13/2002, 10:03 PM

he is closed up for a whole day now. he came out for a little bit and he went back in.

toptank · 02/13/2002, 10:09 PM

Did you look at his Byssal and see anything? Do you try to move him when he was attached? Does he retract his shell when you put your hand in between him and the light? Try that.

BiGBOi · 02/14/2002, 01:40 PM

Never moved him while he was attached. Sometimes if I walk up to the tank to fast he retracts. He is somewhat out this morning. Should I take him out and feed him?

GH Sniper · 02/14/2002, 01:45 PM

If you haven't fed him really good then I would take him out and feed him. It may be that he isn't getting enough food or there could be an irritation factor somewhere in the tank but, the movement that he is doing is a good sign.

Have you attempted to try him in a little different spot in the tank? maybe move him a few inches from where he is now? may be a light issue of some type also.

toptank · 02/14/2002, 01:46 PM

biGBOi, if he is only 2" then it would do more good than harm.

If he is still retracting, then I would dare to say he will be ok, when they stop retracting then I start to worry.

Barry

02/13/2002, 01:12 AM	#1
BiGBOi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 347	Derasa Clam Question I have a 2" derasa clam, and kind of new to keeping clams. I am curious if it is normal for them to close up for a long while, or is this a sign of something bad. This is the only time I have seen him close up since I have had him. (2 weeks) Any other time his mantle is out and he looks very healthy. I have him up at the top of my tank and has seemed to be doing very well. Any comments? __________________ http://rsa7469.blogspot.com http://www.audioscrobbler.com/user/rsa7469 Current Tank Info: No tank currently =( but I have two cats!

02/13/2002, 11:09 AM	#4
GH Sniper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 406	T. Derasa is a sandbed loving clam. He may not be happy where he is at or something else is disturbing it. What type of light was it under in the LFS vs. what you have? Some tank parameters/fish load would also help in finding a root cause. If they stay closed for too long they can start to bleach and could cause death of the clam. I hope you did acclimate your clam to your tank as well __________________ Creating anything I can to make a better reef... :P Current Tank Info: 120G Reef Tank .... boy they do get big

02/13/2002, 01:09 PM	#5
BiGBOi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 347	When the light came on today he looked like he was starting to open up. I will look at him later when the light has been on for a bit. Lighting is just 2x55w PC and it is a 20g tank. I tested my water and it was Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 0, pH 8.2, Ca 400 (kinda low, I keep it usually @ 480), Alk Not tested ( ran out of tests have to go get a refill today). He was only under PCs at the LFS. I feed phytoplan every day because I have a Scleronephthya that I target feed also. Like I said, yesterday was the first day he had closed up while the light was on. Every other day he has looked awesome and extended. Thanks __________________ http://rsa7469.blogspot.com http://www.audioscrobbler.com/user/rsa7469 Current Tank Info: No tank currently =( but I have two cats!

02/13/2002, 01:10 PM	#6
BiGBOi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 347	Just looked at him again and he was closed up. __________________ http://rsa7469.blogspot.com http://www.audioscrobbler.com/user/rsa7469 Current Tank Info: No tank currently =( but I have two cats!

02/13/2002, 10:03 PM	#8
BiGBOi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 347	he is closed up for a whole day now. he came out for a little bit and he went back in. __________________ http://rsa7469.blogspot.com http://www.audioscrobbler.com/user/rsa7469 Current Tank Info: No tank currently =( but I have two cats!

02/13/2002, 10:07 AM	#2
toptank Moved On Join Date: May 2000 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,327	What kind of lighting do you have, T. derasa so not require high intense lighting. If he isn't opening then I would say that he isn't happy where he is. Are you feeding him or your tank? I feed my tank DT's every few days. Is there anything in you tank that is picking on him? I would move him to your substrate and see if he likes it better. Barry

02/13/2002, 10:31 AM	#3
chewie Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Portland OR Posts: 1,170	I agree with toptank. I usually see deresa's on the sand bed not on the rocks. also try feeding him in a seperate container.

02/13/2002, 03:54 PM	#7
jim norris Moved On Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 760	BigBoi, How long does he close up for? Does something (like a fish) go overhead? Pick him up and look real good for any rice snails more so around the edge of the shell. Jim

02/13/2002, 10:09 PM	#9
toptank Moved On Join Date: May 2000 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,327	Did you look at his Byssal and see anything? Do you try to move him when he was attached? Does he retract his shell when you put your hand in between him and the light? Try that.

02/14/2002, 01:40 PM	#10
BiGBOi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 347	Never moved him while he was attached. Sometimes if I walk up to the tank to fast he retracts. He is somewhat out this morning. Should I take him out and feed him? __________________ http://rsa7469.blogspot.com http://www.audioscrobbler.com/user/rsa7469 Current Tank Info: No tank currently =( but I have two cats!

02/14/2002, 01:45 PM	#11
GH Sniper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 406	If you haven't fed him really good then I would take him out and feed him. It may be that he isn't getting enough food or there could be an irritation factor somewhere in the tank but, the movement that he is doing is a good sign. Have you attempted to try him in a little different spot in the tank? maybe move him a few inches from where he is now? may be a light issue of some type also. __________________ Creating anything I can to make a better reef... :P Current Tank Info: 120G Reef Tank .... boy they do get big

02/14/2002, 01:46 PM	#12
toptank Moved On Join Date: May 2000 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,327	biGBOi, if he is only 2" then it would do more good than harm. If he is still retracting, then I would dare to say he will be ok, when they stop retracting then I start to worry. Barry