Rock stuck in my clam
- Thread starter jezzeaepi
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First, you need to be 100% sure that it is a rock. How in the world did a rock end up in your clam? Next, I would definitely await Barry's advice on this one.
ciao
Reef Newbie (SOS PLEASE!)
Don't clams/mollusks just cover such debris with mother of pearl as long as it's not too huge???? I've harvested mussels on the coast before and found little pearls inside from the mussels coating the debris with mother of pear.
Yah it definitely looks like a small rock piece =\ A friend has been watching it for me the last 4 months, and I just got it back today. Its been doing great in my friends tank, but when we went to transfer it today, we noticed that it wasn't closing up as we were handling it, which was concerning. I put it in my tank this evening, and while examining it after lights out with my flash light, I noticed the offending rock stuck inside the clam. It makes me queezy just looking at the rock stuck in the poor clams little lung thingies =(
I don't want to turn it up side down and possibly have the rock rip through the mantle, but I also don't think I have a steady enough hand to remove it with some tweezers... ugh!
I don't want to turn it up side down and possibly have the rock rip through the mantle, but I also don't think I have a steady enough hand to remove it with some tweezers... ugh!
Oh it is quite large unfortunately =\ It is causing the clam discomfort and it cannot fully close.
ciao
Reef Newbie (SOS PLEASE!)
Sorry to hear that. Good luck and keep us informed
You probably won't be able to use tweezers, as the clam would close up, as much as it can, as soon as you got near it. Turning it upside down, might work, but I think the clam would close up, in that instance as well. I'd suggest PMing Barry, or emailing him via his website.
ciao
Reef Newbie (SOS PLEASE!)
Maybe try to leave the tank suspended hanging upside down for a day? I'm thinking that as it opens up and if it opens up enough, that gravity might dislodge it by itself. I wouldn't think that would hurt the clam to try it for a day or two. Just make sure to have it hanging securely.
Hanging the clam, upside down, for very long at all, will cause the bysal thread to tear.
ciao
Reef Newbie (SOS PLEASE!)
ooppps.....my bad! =)
pic
It is really hard to take a picture of, but I gave it my best shot. You cant see it if you look dead on at the clam, only if you kind look in and to the side. The rock is about an inch long, and about a quarter inch thick from the looks of it. For frame of refrenece, you are looking at a huge crocea(5.5 inch).
It is really hard to take a picture of, but I gave it my best shot. You cant see it if you look dead on at the clam, only if you kind look in and to the side. The rock is about an inch long, and about a quarter inch thick from the looks of it. For frame of refrenece, you are looking at a huge crocea(5.5 inch).
Barry, is there any way to safely force the clam open, so he could remove the rock with a pair of tweezers? I think the clam will close, as soon as it senses movement towards it.
broskie
Well-known member
I know I am new and going way way out on a limb but. I know with fish you can dose them with a chemical that kinda puts them into a deep sleep " I only know this because trimming puffers teeth that get to big have to be put some what under". Would this work with the clam so he would have time to use tweezers to get it out? Again this is just a thought so please don't flame me if I am way off haha
I've never had a clam before, so i dont know to much about them, but it seems to me that if your clam still looks like it is doing great, why bother trying to take out the rock and risk hurting the clam. is the rock actually hurting it?
