Hello I have about a 4.5 in. maxima, which seems to be doing very well. But as of the past week I have noticed small white thin snails (about 1/16in. to 3/16in) on the edges of the clam. Today I took the clam out and brushed the snails off into the sink. Don't know if I should worry about these snails or not. I heard from somewhere their is a snail that will burrow into the clams and eventually kill them . Not knowing if these are them I thought I would post and get some help. 8)
maxima clams ?
- Thread starter smokin reefer
- Start date
Here's a link with a pic http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... ht=pyramid
They're nasty little suckers! Check at night also, any that were hiding during the day that you might have missed will come out to chow on your clam. I second the six-line wrasse and also suggest that you purchase Daniel Knop's book "Giant Clams". Good luck.
Kevin
Kevin
That is the snails I have. You guys are making me nervous. Ok, is the wrasse going to be ok with my other inhabits? I have two clown fish, 1 desjardin tang, lots of snails, variaty of corals. I guess it would just be easier to ask what will not go with the wrasse. How long does the snail have to live with these critters on it? Anyone point me in the direction of some good reading on these snails. OOH yea, thanks for the good reply's.
The best (and only) reference for tridacna clams is Daniel Knop's "Giant Clams". It has a nice section on clam maladies and includes all the parasites. A six-line should be fine with the fish that you have. It's hard to say how much time the clam has when it is still being parasitized by those snails, just do your best at daily (and possibly nightly) removals.
FWIW, if you have other clams in the tank, an ultraviolet sterilizer can zap the snails in their planktonic state. That is something that may or may not be appropriate for your situation.
Kevin
FWIW, if you have other clams in the tank, an ultraviolet sterilizer can zap the snails in their planktonic state. That is something that may or may not be appropriate for your situation.
Kevin
I found these snails on my maximas a year or so ago and picked them off by hand in the dark with tweezers over the course of 2-3 weeks and have not had a reoccurence since. Look for egg sacks as well. Get the Daniel Knopp book. I think in Sprung and Delbeek's Vol 1 there are pictures of what the egg sacks look like as well.
Unfortunately I just lost 7 clams in the span of 3 weeks. I believe some kind of bacteria disease may have come in on a baby clam I introduced to the tank a few weeks before the deaths began. So far I have gone 3 days and my final 3 clams appear to be fine. I was loosing a clam every few days...It has been so sad
. I know off topic but I am still reeling from the losses.
Unfortunately I just lost 7 clams in the span of 3 weeks. I believe some kind of bacteria disease may have come in on a baby clam I introduced to the tank a few weeks before the deaths began. So far I have gone 3 days and my final 3 clams appear to be fine. I was loosing a clam every few days...It has been so sad
. I know off topic but I am still reeling from the losses.I used to be able to keep clams and had about 10 various beautiful clams in my tank, all seemingly doing very well. I did get a small outbreak of those small snails, but got a leopard wrasse which seemed to get rid of them all without any harm to the clams. Unfortunately, I developed a similar problem as slojmn1. I lost all my clams, one by one, one dying about each week until they were all gone. I thought that it was some type of infection, however it seems strange that infection would affect the clams one at a time. Usually, an infectious outbreak spreads logarthymically (ie 1 then 2, then 4 etc). I think that there is some other sort of vector in my tank such as a worm, snail, crab etc that is carrying an infection or injuring the clam. I have never found out what it was and have tried re-introducing clams several months later with no luck. Whenever I put a clam in, it seems fine for one or two weeks, then the mantle slowly peels away from the shell and the clam dies within a day or so. I do not think that water quality or nutrients are the issues. I have asked many people what they think, however I am still not happy with any of the answers that I have received (ie lighting, nitrate content, etc) I have never actually seen any predators. Good luck to both you and slojmn1.
I think I would first try to pick these snails by hand. To get a 6-line and acclimate it and then it is a hit or miss for these fish to take care of the snails. I would just pick them like slojmn has said. I used tweezers myself too. I would get a 6-line or I have a yellow coris wrasse to help with my clams, but in the meantime tweezers should work best.
Secondly, slojmn, I am so sorry about you're loosing clams like this, I have gone through the same exact thing. This started back in February. I had the clams in my 120 and all9 looked awesome. Then one morning one by one they would start gapping and then die. I freaked and after half the clams had died and my not knowing what to do I emailed Daniel Knop. He was so nice and so understanding but didn't offer much help. He said research is not being done on problems associated with clams such as this as it is not feasible being these are aquarium clams. He suggested it was bacterial and could only offer to watch them and the sourses they come from. It is a horrible thing to do though. My turquoise crocea I had had for over 3 years down the drain as well as the other beautiful ones I had had not as long. Mr. Knop's book is a must have although as he said it could offer no help in something like this. Meanwhile, I have tried 2 clams within the last 2 weeks and they have done fine. I am going to leave these to see how they do, but they are from toptank and I know they are healthy. I did have 1 large derasa clam that did live through this.
my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html
www.marshreef.org/members
Secondly, slojmn, I am so sorry about you're loosing clams like this, I have gone through the same exact thing. This started back in February. I had the clams in my 120 and all9 looked awesome. Then one morning one by one they would start gapping and then die. I freaked and after half the clams had died and my not knowing what to do I emailed Daniel Knop. He was so nice and so understanding but didn't offer much help. He said research is not being done on problems associated with clams such as this as it is not feasible being these are aquarium clams. He suggested it was bacterial and could only offer to watch them and the sourses they come from. It is a horrible thing to do though. My turquoise crocea I had had for over 3 years down the drain as well as the other beautiful ones I had had not as long. Mr. Knop's book is a must have although as he said it could offer no help in something like this. Meanwhile, I have tried 2 clams within the last 2 weeks and they have done fine. I am going to leave these to see how they do, but they are from toptank and I know they are healthy. I did have 1 large derasa clam that did live through this.
my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html
www.marshreef.org/members
I had a total of 11 clams ranging from 3 to 5 inches. All were doing great! I have had some of these clams for 6 months. Well just about a 2-weeks ago all of my clams died. I do not know what happened. Sue and I are just as confused about the whole thing that happened to me and her, this did not effect the SPS corals just the clams.The baby clams I got from FFE I think harbored some kind of Bacteria. I guess it was the clams that caused this?? I do not know. Because all of my clams were doing great until I intoduced the 3. Those are the only 3 that came from FFE. I am still sick about the whole thing. I am not getting any clams for a while. I fed Dt's, took care of all of my clams like I do with everything in my reef. It was like a plague that took over the clams. I would even take off on my lunch break to check on the clams with the doom of another dying. I know how you feel. I just hate that this happened. I have not given up on these beautiful jewels, I will let things settle down and try again. Holly
Sorry to here about youall's luck. The 4.5 in. maxima is the only one I have at this time. And to here about the stories on this site it will stay that way. A couple of more questions while we are on this subjuct. Do the maxima clams have to live on LR, cause mine has been on the sand bed since I brought her home. About 4 to 6 months ago. She has done awsome since, and continue's to do so (knock on wood). Second, these snails have just showed up about 2 to 3 days ago. Where did they come from? Mabe they just found the clam? Who knows, just need to eliminate them.
For now I am able to remove the clam from the water, put over the sink, take toothbrush and brush the snails off. Is this harmful do you think? Just done it once like that so far. Looks like I will continue to do this procedure until the snails are no longer there.
They may have been there long before you noticed. They are often present only as eggs when you get a clam. Over time they hatch, grow, mutilply, etc. They can also hitch in on snails. They can hitch on live rock. Who knows as they are pretty common.
It shouldn;t be a prblem to brush them with a toothbrush if you don't come into contact with any of the clam's tissue. Personally, I would use tweezers. I don't know how stressful it is on the clam to remove it from the water daily either.
No problems having them on sand in my experience. Although, that's not where they are typically found in their natural environment. Good luck.
It shouldn;t be a prblem to brush them with a toothbrush if you don't come into contact with any of the clam's tissue. Personally, I would use tweezers. I don't know how stressful it is on the clam to remove it from the water daily either.
No problems having them on sand in my experience. Although, that's not where they are typically found in their natural environment. Good luck.
smokin' that is fine to take the clam out of the water to check for and or remove the snails. Remember to "burp" the clam upon putting it back into the tank. That means to hold the clam long ways with the mantle facing you and gently swish it to remove any bubbles that are from removing it from the tank. Just give it a gentle swishing on both ends and you're good to go. My maxima is most happy on the sand bed and I think as long as they are happy where they are I'd leave them. To try to make them be where they don't want to be is stressful. Good Luck!!
my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html
www.marshreef.org/members
my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html
www.marshreef.org/members
The clams that I had did not have many snails on them. I found a few from time to time and I would inspect all clams weekly, so I would use the soft tooth to get them off. Sue and I both lost calms due to the same symtoms. It's really baffling to have healthy clams that have lived in my reef for over 6 months and then all of a sudden one by one slowly dying. I thought maybe the snails hatched and the larvae sucked the life away from the clams. I want so badly to get another Tridacna, but I will let things disapate in my reef (whatever it is) that plauged my clams. I do not want to introduce another and have the same thing happen. All of my paremeter readings are fine. I thought something was wrong with my water but Sue and I concluded that if it were a water problem, all of my acropora for sure would have been stressed in some way. This only effected the clams.
I hope to find out more about this mystery plauge. It's always interesting to hear about what could be the cause. Holly
I hope to find out more about this mystery plauge. It's always interesting to hear about what could be the cause. Holly
hreef, texman and Sue, Wow what a coincidence to say the least . It sounds exactly like my situation. I still have three clams left, one crocea is starting to show some unfriendly signs like a bit of gaping and not opening fully. My most beloved t. Max that I have had for 16 months seems to be doing fine...so far. I was bummed when I lost my recent aquisition from toptank. I emailed him about his opinions but it sounds as if some sort of bacteria thingy is getting us all. (I am pretty sure something came in on some clams I got about 4 weeks before the deaths began. It was all to conveinent to be something else and having so many clams go so quickly....ARRRGGGG. Nothing else in the tank was affected in any way. Everythign looks and has been looking superb. Sue, like you I plan to wait for a few months before trying anymore clams again and will probably stick to toptank's clams. I am equally interested in finding out about this mystery clam plague.
. It sounds exactly like my situation. I still have three clams left, one crocea is starting to show some unfriendly signs like a bit of gaping and not opening fully. My most beloved t. Max that I have had for 16 months seems to be doing fine...so far. I was bummed when I lost my recent aquisition from toptank. I emailed him about his opinions but it sounds as if some sort of bacteria thingy is getting us all. (I am pretty sure something came in on some clams I got about 4 weeks before the deaths began. It was all to conveinent to be something else and having so many clams go so quickly....ARRRGGGG. Nothing else in the tank was affected in any way. Everythign looks and has been looking superb. Sue, like you I plan to wait for a few months before trying anymore clams again and will probably stick to toptank's clams. I am equally interested in finding out about this mystery clam plague.To read some of the stories here almost makes me wish I never had purchase by clam. How is everyone feeding their clams? When I 1st looked into clams about 8 months ago, everyone was telling me to do direct feeding. I was even told to take it out each day and put them into another container to feed, then I was told about the plastic container method to feed them. then I have been reading the direct feeding is not required and it could cause you clam to die as the are unable to process the large quantity and pieces all at once.
So now I just plop in 3 – 5 ml of DT’s every night.
The only reason I am mentioning this is due the fact that it sounds like most people have all the lighting/perameters in line. I know that some have had their for over a year so this is only a suggestion.
What about a mantis or other predator that only comes out at night?
So now I just plop in 3 – 5 ml of DT’s every night.
The only reason I am mentioning this is due the fact that it sounds like most people have all the lighting/perameters in line. I know that some have had their for over a year so this is only a suggestion.
What about a mantis or other predator that only comes out at night?
BCReefer, what you are talking about is the method best used to feed baby clams. Those that are not yet big enough to use the lighting and mantle area is too small in area. I had several baby clams and the best way to make sure they get enough food is to take them from the tank and add DT's{in my case} and let them filter feed. I do feed both of my systems twice weekly with DT's and a mix of brine eggs, but I now have no clams smaller than 3" except 1.
slojmn, I totally agree about toptanks clams as they are so healthy and I will never add any others.
I wish some kind of research was being done to find out what it is that will go through an entire clam population and kill them off{in my case} one by one.
my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html
www.marshreef.org/members
slojmn, I totally agree about toptanks clams as they are so healthy and I will never add any others.
I wish some kind of research was being done to find out what it is that will go through an entire clam population and kill them off{in my case} one by one.
my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html
www.marshreef.org/members
Ditto on what Sue says as far as the one by one die-off. Seems that whatever it is stays in the tank long after the clams are dead. This leads me to believe that it may be some other vector such as a worm or crab. A simple bacterial infection should die off on its own after all the hosts are dead.
texman, toptank is Barry and his site is www.clamsdirect.net
He has a first class thing going and you see pics of the actual clams you get.
I didn't have any bristle worm problems nor did I ever find any crabs on the dead or dying clams. They would gap and then just fade away. The weirdest was I had a 6" derasa make it where my crocea I had had for over 3 years crapped out even after healing from being stabbed by a staghorn that fell into it. I had to snap the tip of the stag off and let the clam open to get it out. It completely healed from this only to die in the horrible way it did.
my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html
www.marshreef.org/members
He has a first class thing going and you see pics of the actual clams you get.
I didn't have any bristle worm problems nor did I ever find any crabs on the dead or dying clams. They would gap and then just fade away. The weirdest was I had a 6" derasa make it where my crocea I had had for over 3 years crapped out even after healing from being stabbed by a staghorn that fell into it. I had to snap the tip of the stag off and let the clam open to get it out. It completely healed from this only to die in the horrible way it did.
my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html
www.marshreef.org/members
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