CLAM SICK PLEASE HELP

[amored]

so i returned from a short vacation to find my crocea which was previously perfectly healthy to now be very sick. it's foot (the stringy parts) have turned brown and the mantle is not fully opening. it is still responding to light. my nitrate test has run out (a new one is on the way) but i did a WC before i left and they were at .2 ppm, phosphates and ammonia are 0 on salifert kits. temp sits steady at 80*. HELP!

[MikeTR]

Water might be too clean. I hate saying that cuz I don't really believe it, but they do like phosphates and a bit of nitrates. Water changes can certainly piss them off so I've read, but I never see this in my larger system when I do 30% exchanges. Pics needed.

[ZephNYC]

so i returned from a short vacation to find my crocea which was previously perfectly healthy to now be very sick. it's foot (the stringy parts) have turned brown and the mantle is not fully opening. it is still responding to light. my nitrate test has run out (a new one is on the way) but i did a WC before i left and they were at .2 ppm, phosphates and ammonia are 0 on salifert kits. temp sits steady at 80*. HELP!

 

This is typical behavior for a crocea clam - to die after 1 month in captivity. These Pacific Croceas require TONS, and i do mean TONS of lighting.They are the most difficult clams to keep - PERIOD. If the lighting isnt strong enough they will die in one month, as you have unfortunately witnessed. Feeding wont help much either. Sorry for your loss. I doubt it was a bacterial infection as far as the brown foot is concerned because these are cultured clams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also , just for the record, if you do every try another crocea, feed it VODKA (sugar/methanol ) and only run your skimmer at night. This really helps them allot.

[amored]

This is typical behavior for a crocea clam - to die after 1 month in captivity. These Pacific Croceas require TONS, and i do mean TONS of lighting.They are the most difficult clams to keep - PERIOD. If the lighting isnt strong enough they will die in one month, as you have unfortunately witnessed. Feeding wont help much either. Sorry for your loss. I doubt it was a bacterial infection as far as the brown foot is concerned because these are cultured clams.

 

 

 

 

Also , just for the record, if you do every try another crocea, feed it VODKA (sugar/methanol ) and only run your skimmer at night. This really helps them allot.

 

this is a 3.5" DD pacific cultured crocea and i did recently turn down the intensity of my maxspect razor from maxing out at 90% to 65% because some of my corals were bleaching. should i turn it back up? would this help? also can i try vodka dosing now?

[Tamberav]

This is typical behavior for a crocea clam - to die after 1 month in captivity. These Pacific Croceas require TONS, and i do mean TONS of lighting.They are the most difficult clams to keep - PERIOD. If the lighting isnt strong enough they will die in one month, as you have unfortunately witnessed. Feeding wont help much either. Sorry for your loss. I doubt it was a bacterial infection as far as the brown foot is concerned because these are cultured clams.

 

 

 

 

Also , just for the record, if you do every try another crocea, feed it VODKA (sugar/methanol ) and only run your skimmer at night. This really helps them allot.

 

What does the vodka do? I'm curious because I run biopellets. Do they feed off the bacteria it boosts?

[amored]

i moved the clam to the top of my rocks, 2" below the water surface. it is stable there so hopefully the extra light boost could bring it back? should i just call it dead and remove it now? i don't understand… it was fine.

 

here are some pics… from my phone, sorry for the blue.

 

 

 

[ZephNYC]

this is a 3.5" DD pacific cultured crocea and i did recently turn down the intensity of my maxspect razor from maxing out at 90% to 65% because some of my corals were bleaching. should i turn it back up? would this help? also can i try vodka dosing now?

 

Give it a shot!!! Use 1 ml of Vodka/50 gallons and turn off your skimmer during the day. I would say turn it off for a week, but the vodka dosing requires skimming as it causes a bacterail increase in the over all system ans needs to be purged.

[amored]

Give it a shot!!! Use 1 ml of Vodka/50 gallons and turn off your skimmer during the day. I would say turn it off for a week, but the vodka dosing requires skimming as it causes a bacterail increase in the over all system ans needs to be purged.

 

it's a 16G and i don't run a skimmer- does this mean no vodka dosing?

[ZephNYC]

What does the vodka do? I'm curious because I run biopellets. Do they feed off the bacteria it boosts?

99% of our clams die in captivity because their carbon requirements are not met as the result of induficient lighting, spectrum, or dissolved organics. Vodka or sugar dosing is essentially carbon dosing and has a MAJOR impact on clams. I dont think you can carbon dose in a biopellet system, but dont quote me on that, ive never used bio pellets.

 

it's a 16G and i don't run a skimmer- does this mean no vodka dosing?

 

do you run carbon?

[amored]

99% of our clams die in captivity because their carbon requirements are not met as the result of induficient lighting, spectrum, or dissolved organics. Vodka or sugar dosing is essentially carbon dosing and has a MAJOR impact on clams. I dont think you can carbon dose in a biopellet system, but dont quote me on that, ive never used bio pellets.

 

 

do you run carbon?

 

yes i have chemo-pure elite in the back as well as purigen.

 

also should i try a FW dip?

[Tamberav]

99% of our clams die in captivity because their carbon requirements are not met as the result of induficient lighting, spectrum, or dissolved organics. Vodka or sugar dosing is essentially carbon dosing and has a MAJOR impact on clams. I dont think you can carbon dose in a biopellet system, but dont quote me on that, ive never used bio pellets.

 

 

do you run carbon?

 

I used to vinegar dose, then I went to vodka, and then I went to biopellets (set and forget!). I thought biopellets was just another form of organic carbon dosing? I suppose it staying in the reactor is the problem?

[ZephNYC]

yes i have chemo-pure elite in the back as well as purigen.

 

also should i try a FW dip?

Noooooo...it's not a parasitic infection, forget that. Remove your chemi pure and does some vodka. DOnt get your hopes up though, once these clams show a decline they very rarely return, but we have saved a few.

 

I used to vinegar dose, then I went to vodka, and then I went to biopellets (set and forget!). I thought biopellets was just another form of organic carbon dosing? I suppose it staying in the reactor is the problem?

 

It is, but the extra carbon created remains in the reactor and never gets to the clams. Only dosing the display will benefit your clams.

[Tamberav]

Noooooo...it's not a parasitic infection, forget that. Remove your chemi pure and does some vodka. DOnt get your hopes up though, once these clams show a decline they very rarely return, but we have saved a few.

 

 

It is, but the extra carbon created remains in the reactor and never gets to the clams. Only dosing the display will benefit your clams.

 

Ah, gotcha. Ive seen people dose both but caution would be in order.

[amored]

Noooooo...it's not a parasitic infection, forget that. Remove your chemi pure and does some vodka. DOnt get your hopes up though, once these clams show a decline they very rarely return, but we have saved a few.

 

 

It is, but the extra carbon created remains in the reactor and never gets to the clams. Only dosing the display will benefit your clams.

 

so, after several hours directly underneath the light, it seems to be much improved! the mantle is extending almost fully and shows no signs of pinching or other issues. i assume the foot is still brown, idk what that means but HOPEFULLY it will come back from the brink of starvation… poor clam, i am sorry

[ZephNYC]

so, after several hours directly underneath the light, it seems to be much improved! the mantle is extending almost fully and shows no signs of pinching or other issues. i assume the foot is still brown, idk what that means but HOPEFULLY it will come back from the brink of starvation… poor clam, i am sorry

are you feeding it any invert food like phyto?

[basser1]

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

 

As far as the foot goes, they will regenerate a new one.

[amored]

are you feeding it any invert food like phyto?

 

i feed rotifers twice a week and dose aqua vitro fuel. i have some phyto in the fridge but i was always under the impression that it's mostly waste. no?

[ZephNYC]

i feed rotifers twice a week and dose aqua vitro fuel. i have some phyto in the fridge but i was always under the impression that it's mostly waste. no?

ahhhhhh..the ever lasting question....is feeding clams a waste??? Feeding clams does create more waste than it benefits, but your clam will eat it, and that will help your clam a teeny tiny bit. A common problem is people wait till their clams are not doing so well, and then try to feed it to help it, but they are actually doing more harm then good. Reason being it takes alot of energy for a clam to digest food particles. Energy a weak clam does not have or can not afford. So feeding a half dead clam might just put the nail in the coffin. But feeding healthy clams is a good idea imo.

[amored]

ahhhhhh..the ever lasting question....is feeding clams a waste??? Feeding clams does create more waste than it benefits, but your clam will eat it, and that will help your clam a teeny tiny bit. A common problem is people wait till their clams are not doing so well, and then try to feed it to help it, but they are actually doing more harm then good. Reason being it takes alot of energy for a clam to digest food particles. Energy a weak clam does not have or can not afford. So feeding a half dead clam might just put the nail in the coffin. But feeding healthy clams is a good idea imo.

 

oh, i more meant that phyto itself is mostly waste… as in, there's very little alive in most phyto blends available commercially. i don't doubt that feeding the clam would have been beneficial, if i had any idea there was a problem until this morning.

 

on another note, i have noticed some sand bits in the gill of the clam. i tried to gently turkey baste them out which mostly worked but i was wondering if you had any other suggestions?

[ZephNYC]

oh, i more meant that phyto itself is mostly waste… as in, there's very little alive in most phyto blends available commercially. i don't doubt that feeding the clam would have been beneficial, if i had any idea there was a problem until this morning.

 

on another note, i have noticed some sand bits in the gill of the clam. i tried to gently turkey baste them out which mostly worked but i was wondering if you had any other suggestions?

Well, phyto is not THE most nutritious filter feeder food on the market, thats for sure. Kent microvert probably is. DOnt worry about anything in the gills as clams can powerfully clean themselves, inside and out, any time they want.

[amored]

sad to say he didn't make it.

[basser1]

Sorry to hear....

[ward827]

[ZephNYC]

Next time try a Pacific East Aquaculture cultured Maxima. These gorgeous clams are doing well for most people. Even me...and Im a clam killer.

[tetraodon]

99% of our clams die in captivity because their carbon requirements are not met as the result of induficient lighting, spectrum, or dissolved organics. Vodka or sugar dosing is essentially carbon dosing and has a MAJOR impact on clams. I dont think you can carbon dose in a biopellet system, but dont quote me on that, ive never used bio pellets.

so a carbon dose should be part of the routine for clams?