I just noticed something on my gold trocea clam. There are these little long shells, like snails or something. There are a few of them, close to the mantle. They're too small to take a pic with my camera. And something tells me it's not good... :headache: :anger2:
Something on a clam
- Thread starter Dmitry
- Start date
- Location
- NY
Sounds like pyramid snails. Not good.
Pyramid snails = Bad for clam
Quote from liveaquaria:
Pyramid Snails Identification
Pyramid Snails, or Pyrams are very small snails that belong to the Pyramidellidae family. They are generally white in color, have a slender shell that tapers to a point, and do not grow larger than a few millimeters. The Pyramid Snails use their long proboscis, which is a tube-like mouth, to puncture the mantle of a Tridacna Clam in order to feed upon the fluids and zooxanthellae cells contained within. A few snails will typically not pose a threat to a healthy Tridacna Clam. The snails reproduce every 90-120 days, and if left to multiply, can cause serious harm or even death to their host in a very short period of time.
Signs & Symptoms
Evidence of an inflicted clam can be noticed by poor expansion and loss of color within the mantle. The Pyramid Snails feed mostly during the nighttime hours. During the daytime, they will remain either at the base of the clam, or within the scutes of the shell, where they are difficult to spot. It is best to inspect an ailing clam with a flashlight a few hours after the lights have turned off on the aquarium. The small snails will line up at the top of the shell just below the clam's mantle.
Treatment
If you discover these snails, it is best to remove the clam to a separate container of aquarium water. Once out of the aquarium, you can physically remove the adult snails, and brush the entire shell with a new toothbrush in order to remove any eggs.
Natural predators of Pyramid snails include several species of wrasse within the genus of Halichoeres and Pseudocheilinus. A few of the more popular species that are reportedly very efficient at controlling these snails are; Six and Eight Lined Wrasse (P. hexataenia and P. octotaenia), and the Green Wrasse (H. chloropterus).
Quote from liveaquaria:
Pyramid Snails Identification
Pyramid Snails, or Pyrams are very small snails that belong to the Pyramidellidae family. They are generally white in color, have a slender shell that tapers to a point, and do not grow larger than a few millimeters. The Pyramid Snails use their long proboscis, which is a tube-like mouth, to puncture the mantle of a Tridacna Clam in order to feed upon the fluids and zooxanthellae cells contained within. A few snails will typically not pose a threat to a healthy Tridacna Clam. The snails reproduce every 90-120 days, and if left to multiply, can cause serious harm or even death to their host in a very short period of time.
Signs & Symptoms
Evidence of an inflicted clam can be noticed by poor expansion and loss of color within the mantle. The Pyramid Snails feed mostly during the nighttime hours. During the daytime, they will remain either at the base of the clam, or within the scutes of the shell, where they are difficult to spot. It is best to inspect an ailing clam with a flashlight a few hours after the lights have turned off on the aquarium. The small snails will line up at the top of the shell just below the clam's mantle.
Treatment
If you discover these snails, it is best to remove the clam to a separate container of aquarium water. Once out of the aquarium, you can physically remove the adult snails, and brush the entire shell with a new toothbrush in order to remove any eggs.
Natural predators of Pyramid snails include several species of wrasse within the genus of Halichoeres and Pseudocheilinus. A few of the more popular species that are reportedly very efficient at controlling these snails are; Six and Eight Lined Wrasse (P. hexataenia and P. octotaenia), and the Green Wrasse (H. chloropterus).
Yep, sounds like my @#%%#$. :anger2: :headache: Of course, I don't have a clean toothbrush at home, but I just took the clam out and swept the shell with a needle. Found a bunch of them. The question now is: where did they come from? This particular clam I've had for over six months. It's the one I got as a group buy for the frag swap before last. The one in Manhattan and we did a blind pick out of the bag. A lot of folks got clams that day; you might wanna check on yours! :skull:
I had a ton in my tank with a big deresa claim. They are pretty common, and are difficult to get rid of entirely. I got a six-line and it is really good at controlling them (even though I still see a couple from time to time). For the time being, I would just check the clam (especially the byssal gland) and remove any snails you find). Don't panic though, a few pyramids won't kill your clam, but if you let them get out of control it will become a problem.
scarf_ace1981
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- San Juan, PR
are you sure they aren't stomella snails. i catch stomellas on my clams from time to time.
i have lost three clams since the swap :scratch: wonder if i got them little buggers.
i have lost three clams since the swap :scratch: wonder if i got them little buggers.
- Location
- Howell, NJ
scarf_ace1981 said:
:banghead: do not buy or get anymore clams.. :banghead: :banghead: no lmao here.. :Up_to_som
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