Please Help!!!

[Jim]

I woke up this morning to two of my shrimp eating and picking at the mantle of one of clams, what should I do?

 

[mr_X]

my first guess would be that the clam is declining, and the shrimp are just doing what they do.
how long have you had it?
before the shrimp started picking at it, did it look any different than when you first got it?

 

[Jim]

Iv'e had it for atleast 6 months and yesterday it looked great, fully extended. Now it's retracted but not fully closed and does not respond to touch.

 

[Awibrandy]

my first guess would be that the clam is declining, and the shrimp are just doing what they do.

how long have you had it?
before the shrimp started picking at it, did it look any different than when you first got it?

​

DITTO​

Sorry​

 

[mr_X]

well, if they haven't bothered it ever before this point, something drew them to the clam. no recent changes to the tank? re-aquascape? change salts? change lighting?

 

[Jim]

If it's declining, should I remove it. Will it foul the water or release any toxins?

 

[Jim]

No, I haven't changed anything in at least 2 months.

 

[Awibrandy]

Jim, when I had clams die in my tank I never noticed any harm. My clean up crews feasted on the dead tissue.

 

[Jim]

Thank You For the quick responses.

 

[KathyC]

If the clam is not reacting to movement, I would take it out.

You also didn't mention how large your tank is. If smaller than about 100g, take it out as it can foul your tank. You may not have enough critters in there to eat it before it has a chance to foul the water.

Not a gamble worth trying

 

[Bob 1000]

You said 6 month's, How are you Alk levels and Calcium.. Clams do go a long time in a declinig state. They also don't show much signs of declining until it's to late sometimes.. Is there any Zoas or acans next to it??

 

[Jim]

My tank is a 90 Gal and my alk is 8.6 cal. 420

 

[NYreefNoob]

jim something could be bothering it to the point of stress, i know heat isnt a issue for you, and for me alk swings have been cause to problems, whats the ph at ? also look for small snails on the clam