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Philippe Dor

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Yes Len, your story with the 10 gal reef would confirm some kind of transferable infection, and for your info James Cook Uni was using chroramphenicol to treat such infections(in any lab or tank situation). Unfortunately I think it is banned in the US, but maybe not for veterirary use? One good thing to come out of any discussion is that the more people talk about their experience in detail and without any constrains the more we learn and maybe one day will find the solution. Phil
 

delbeek

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It seems from the circumstantial evidence that bacteria certainly seem to play a role in whatever it is that is affecting these clams, based on the fact that the use of doxycycline (which I recommended be used to one of the retailers in SF area who called me a few weeks ago) resulted in a halting of the symptoms. Whether the clams came in with the bacteria or the bacteria were already in the tank is not clear. Whether the bacteria are the cause or are merely a secondary infection is also not clear. Be aware that it has been shown that bacteria that are normally non-virulent can become virulent when environmental conditions become altered (based on work done with corals off Zanzibar where normally benign Vibrio became virulent at temperatures above 78 oF, this was published in Marine Biology this year, co-author name was Haim, you can get the abstract on Marine Biology's website).

Also, these clams are wild caught and may not receive the best of care and handling by collectors and shippers out of Pohnapei (this from a source there). With the wide availabiliy of aquacultured clams we really should not be purchasing wild caught, even though their colors may be unreal and they are of good size. Support the local clam farms, everyone wins in the end with healthy livestock and reefs the result.

Aloha!
J. Charles Delbeek
 

Palmetto

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I am very interested in following this thread, and I am thankful for all of the sharing of information. I did some checking with my primary clam supplier, and found that some of their clams were wild caught - although they are now specifically shipping Marshall Islands farm clams.

I will be sure to specify that I only wish to carry the farm-raised clams, but I am particularly concerned that Len's problem came in on coral. I currently am farming SPS in the same tank that I house our clams in, to take full advantage of the Metal Halide / Reef Racks.

I quarantine all of our livestock a minimum of 7 days before offering it for sale, and most of what I have are captive-raised corals. (particularly Ricordea.) From the speed of kill that we are talking about here, I suppose this minimum quarantine should be adequate, but I am very concerned that $1,000.00 in clams could get taken out by some mystery bacteria that came in on an Acropora frag. This gives me nightmares at this stage in my business.

I will continue to monitor this thread, and appreciate all of the input.
 

delbeek

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Yes Len, your story with the 10 gal reef would confirm some kind of transferable infection, and for your info James Cook Uni was using chroramphenicol to treat such infections(in any lab or tank situation). Unfortunately I think it is banned in the US, but maybe not for veterirary use? One good thing to come out of any discussion is that the more people talk about their experience in detail and without any constrains the more we learn and maybe one day will find the solution. Phil

Phil: Chloram is available in the US, but yes, only from a vet on prescription. It is not a pleasant drug to use and can cause severe reactions in sensitive individuals. In any event, there are more modern antibiotics that are as, if not more, effective.

Aloha!
J. Charles Delbeek
 

Len

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I've introduced 6 aquacultured T.maxima's this past Saturday. It's been 10 weeks since the last clam death. I will keep you folks informed of their health.
 

jimmyj

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Does anyone have any comments or observations relating to weather or not SPS corals are part of the equation here (ie, some people on another board have reported that SPS colonies were affected after the loss of their clams, others have reported no problems with their SPS)

The "problems" people have described involved diminished polyp extension and possible gradual death.
 

Len

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Can't comment on others, but mortality was Tridacna specific in my tank. SPS were completely unaffected.
 

Len

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It's been 10 days, and so far so good. Absolutely no symptoms have been displayed. With any luck, whatever killed my previous clams is gone.
 

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