giant clam

[shahrzad1893]

i think my clam is dying :(
ive had him for and he's been fine until now
his shell is almost totally closed and he looks like he's all shriveled up
all the water parameters test out fine, calcium is fine, and the everything else looks healthy
what is the lifespan on giant clams anyway

 

[little_fish]

easily 100 years

Have you checked for stray voltage? Also check out the mantel very carefully and the shell. There are few clam parasites that can cause the symptoms you are describing

 

[shahrzad1893]

how can i check for stray voltage?

 

[little_fish]

Identifying, Locating and Curing Stray Voltage in a Saltwater Aquarium

 

[sen5241b]

Re-check water parms! Are you sure trates are low? No copper?

 

[Northstar24]

Were the Byssal threads damaged? Did you try to move it recently? Otherwise go with Sen's and little fishes suggestions

 

[parrotchute]

What kind of lighting do you have? How is your calcium?

 

[Smitty]

Sounds like his foot may have been torn, from something moving him.

 

[Lab_boy]

Also check for Brissil worms ..they can eat the foot off of clams and destroy the clams mantle. Also do you feed your clam? phytoplankton ? Add calcium ?

 

[Northstar24]

Clams larger than about 2-2.5 inches do not need to be fed, they get everything they need photosynthetically

Have you noticed anything picking on or harrassing the clam?

 

[little_fish]

Also check for Brissil worms ..they can eat the foot off of clams and destroy the clams mantle.

Are you talking about bristle worms? If so they arent going to harm your clam unless its already dead or dying

 

[jzaso]

The poor bristle worm gets the bad rap again!! no they do not eat clams lab boy-detrivores/carrion- I would suspect a water quality issue first- need more info on water params species of clam you said giant T gigus?? all clams are light demanding some species more so T. crocea the most/gigus the least, also how big is your clam