"Unhitching" clams

[sterling]

I came home from the horse show today and wanted to move my new crocea up a little higher in the tank, felt it was acclimated pretty well now. But it has attached itself to the rock its next to in the substrate. I don't want to harm it. How do I get it to disattach safely?

 

[yosemite sam]

Can you get the rock out it's attached to? Clams send out these threads called byssus threads that are like little grapling hooks that they use to attach themselves to rocks. You can cut the theads, but be very careful not to cut the bottom of the clam where the threads come out. Get a sharp razor blade, knife, ect., and cut the threads as close to the rock (in other words, as far from the clam) as possible. DON'T pull on the clam to get it to come off. I would not do this opperation without being able to see what you are doing as you may not have a lot of room between the clam and the thread attachment point on the rock. Hopefully, you won't have to move much rock.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
BTW, I set my clams in scallop shells, which they attach to. Then I can move them when I need/want to.

 

[beattyr]

Originally posted by Yosemite Sam
BTW, I set my clams in scallop shells, which they attach to. Then I can move them when I need/want to.
OUTSTANDING IDEA!!!!
As I am considering a clam and was wondering how to get it to attach to something I was pondering different things. This will work perfectly!
Thanks!
Rob

 

[bang guy]

I agree with golfish.
If you feel you must move it though... Take a chisel or flat head screwdriver and chip off the rock where the byssal threads attach.

 

[sterling]

Thanks for all the responses. i really like the scallop shell idea. I'll check out where it's attached and see if i can chip rock, that would be my first inclination and then maybe cut the strings if it looks like I can do it without damaging anything.
Thanks again, as usual, the best people with the best answers.