Hitchhiker clam ID and help

Stumped · 08/10/2006, 10:19 PM

I'm setting up my first saltwater tank (AP 24G) and after arranging all the live rock and letting the sand settle I noticed something odd about one of the rocks. Anyway upon closer inspection I noticed it was a clam shell covered in coraline algae and didnt think much of it (there were a lot of empty shells that came loose during the curing process) until I noticed it move today. To make sure I wasnt imagining things I moved a stick around it and it quickly shut entirely.

Anyway I tried to look for pictures of it on google, but couldn't find anything similar. It's on a piece of Vanatu live rock and is about 1 1/4"-1 1/2" in length. The most defining feature I can describe is the fact it has zig-zag edges where it opens and closes and isn't smooth or rounded like the clams I saw when I searched for pics.

Is there anything I can do to keep this alive? It seems to be quite hardy as it survived shipping on the rock (out of water), another 3 hours out of water driving it back from the store and another hour or so while I set up the rock for display.

brettandlyndi · 08/11/2006, 01:12 PM

Does it extend a mantle? It sounds like it might be a zig-zag oyster, rather than a clam.

scarter · 08/11/2006, 01:21 PM

I agree with the zig zag oyster. need lots of nutrients to survive. if you feed well he will probably survive.

Ruskan F · 08/13/2006, 11:22 PM

i also agree with the both of them.i have one that came on LR and went thourgh the same thing.i thought it was a clam so i put it under the light and it would be under the LR or on the ground the next day.i did this a few times before it hit me that it was an oyster.because they dont use the light like clams.

08/10/2006, 10:19 PM	#1
Stumped Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 439	Hitchhiker clam ID and help I'm setting up my first saltwater tank (AP 24G) and after arranging all the live rock and letting the sand settle I noticed something odd about one of the rocks. Anyway upon closer inspection I noticed it was a clam shell covered in coraline algae and didnt think much of it (there were a lot of empty shells that came loose during the curing process) until I noticed it move today. To make sure I wasnt imagining things I moved a stick around it and it quickly shut entirely. Anyway I tried to look for pictures of it on google, but couldn't find anything similar. It's on a piece of Vanatu live rock and is about 1 1/4"-1 1/2" in length. The most defining feature I can describe is the fact it has zig-zag edges where it opens and closes and isn't smooth or rounded like the clams I saw when I searched for pics. Is there anything I can do to keep this alive? It seems to be quite hardy as it survived shipping on the rock (out of water), another 3 hours out of water driving it back from the store and another hour or so while I set up the rock for display.

08/11/2006, 01:21 PM	#3
scarter Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 605	I agree with the zig zag oyster. need lots of nutrients to survive. if you feed well he will probably survive. __________________ My name is Shane and I am a reefaholic, I have a disease and they don't know what to call it. Current Tank Info: what tank?

08/11/2006, 01:12 PM	#2
brettandlyndi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 142	Does it extend a mantle? It sounds like it might be a zig-zag oyster, rather than a clam.

08/13/2006, 11:22 PM	#4
Ruskan F Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: st.george ut u.s.a. Posts: 12	i also agree with the both of them.i have one that came on LR and went thourgh the same thing.i thought it was a clam so i put it under the light and it would be under the LR or on the ground the next day.i did this a few times before it hit me that it was an oyster.because they dont use the light like clams.