if clam is gaping?

[scarf_ace1981]

i was just curious as to what it meant when clams were gaping.

[BAYSLAYER]

There not getting enough light.

[jafoca]

a clam is gaping if the incurent syphon (the slit, not the one that sticks up) is stretched bigger than it should be. On a crocea, this happens when the slit looks like a circle instead of a tight oval, or flat sided oval.

 

Crocea clams are known to open their slit more than others naturally, and are often confused to be gaping when they are in fact fine.

 

Other clams gaping is less pronounced.

 

If a clam is gaping there is something wrong, but there is not really ONE definitive cause we can point to. If the clam is gaping, the best thing to do is test all water params including calcium and KH.

 

There is really only one "treatment" i have ever heard of... Tie a string around the clam, keeping it from gaping. The clam should be able to extend its mantle still, even with the string in place, and the string should allow the clam to recover. Gaping is caused by the clam being weak and not able to hold itself "shut". This may help save a gaping clam.

[scarf_ace1981]

thanks guys. i was just curious. someone had asked me and i wasn't sure of the answer.

[CGNano]

A clam is also counted as gaping if the shell is pulling away from the main body.

[chieferich]

they're loose.

 

 

 

yeah that's right-I SAID IT.

[ezcompany]

they're loose.

yeah that's right-I SAID IT.

 

lol