Who Ate The Clam?

jwillman2nd

jwillman2nd

New Member
I have a 34 gal reef tank with about 25 assorted corals, and The clam wa alive this morning, I just came home and the clam is off it's rock and completely empty shell. It is about a 2.5 inch maxima that has been in the tank for 2 montsh.
I have:
2" six line wrasse
2- 1.5" Chromis
2" Flame angel
2.5" Maroon Clown
The clown has been in there 2 weeks, the rest since before the clam.
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
One thing about clams is that they can be dying without people really realizing there is a problem unless you have a lot of experience with them. There can be nuances in their behavior. Can you cover your tank parameters and all other inhabitants to be sure we aren't missing anything obvious?
 
1journeyman

1journeyman

Active Member
Originally Posted by jwillman2nd
... It is about a 2.5 inch maxima...
....
Clams at this size can be difficult to feed. As Opgiura stated, it may not have been healthy for a while. Even at that small size I can't imagine any of the critters listed as being able to totally consume a healthy clam.
Nass. snails are great at eating dead/decaying flesh.
 
yosemite sam

yosemite sam

Active Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
One thing about clams is that they can be dying without people really realizing there is a problem unless you have a lot of experience with them. There can be nuances in their behavior. Can you cover your tank parameters and all other inhabitants to be sure we aren't missing anything obvious?
Definitely. Once it died, a lot of your tank inhabitants probably ate some of the remains, but they may not have actually killed the clam. What kind of lighting do you have and where was the clam located?
 
jwillman2nd

jwillman2nd

New Member
Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam
Definitely. Once it died, a lot of your tank inhabitants probably ate some of the remains, but they may not have actually killed the clam. What kind of lighting do you have and where was the clam located?
T5 110 watts, clam was on the bottom because he jumped from the rock he was on 1/2 way up the tank, he lost his foot, and was in the process of growing back on the rock I had in the sandbed, I pulled him out 2 days ago, and he had attached nicely, I was going to put him back up next week because he was still a little wobbly on the rock
 
jwillman2nd

jwillman2nd

New Member
Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam
How did you feed it?
Just dumped the phytoplex in the woter like described and dosed on the kent botttle
 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
My derasas have lived great for about 6 months, but I've had terrible luck with maximas myself. I got 1 from SWF - was only 1.5 inches though. It lived for a couple months and died. They replaced it and the second one died also. They were quite small though.
Anyway, like Yosemite asked - what light do you have and where was it located?
 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
T5 110 lights prob not enough for that fella unless he was directly just under the light. prob need a bit more IMO.
 
buckster71

buckster71

Member
Did you notice if the Flame angel or the Wrasse picking on it?
One of the fish might have been picking at it, keeping it closed.
I lost two different clams. Also make sure you keep up on trace elements as well and make sure your idodine levels are ok.
Nothing like watching a hermit and and emerald crab polish off a three month old clam...
 
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