Squamosa clam missing hinge

[christyf5]

A bit quiet in here but maybe I can stir up some interest.

I have a 8"+ squamosa that i've had in my tank for 4 years now, its been doing fabulously well with lots of growth (bought it at less than 3") and its put on a fair bit of growth in the past couple months (new white shell). However yesterday it was looking a bit deflated, mantle retracted at the incurrent siphon end and generally looking unhappy. I thought maybe it was touching a coral or something as there are some rogue ricordeas floating around. When I moved it, both shells moved independently of each other. I gently closed the clam and looked at the underside (under the water) and the hinge is completely gone. How does that happen? Did something eat it? Is there anything I can do to help it or is my clam doomed to die a slow death? Any help is appreciated at this point.

180 gallon tank with 70g sump, 3x250w ushio MH, euroreef skimmer, temp 78F, Ca 450, alk 8dkh, mg 1275 (working on it), waterchanges 20% monthly with IO salt (working on increasing frequency), run carbon, run GFO cant' think of any other pertinent info

Thanks
Christy

 

[user 26995]

Wow, I'm gonna look around and see if I can find some more info on that. I pretty sure they can live okay that way, but try not to move it or set it anywhere unstable. I'm sure you know, you just dont want to tear its foot and make sure the byssal opening is secured, it should be fine.

Maybe Skinz76..78.. whatever his screen name is will be able to help. I send him a message.

 

[1guydude]

Nata had a clam too where she would have to keep.flipping him.
Ill msg her.
D

 

[skinz78]

Hey Christy how have you been?

Haha it's been a long time since I've seen you post anything tank related so I figured you had gotten out of the hobby...

I personally haven't had this happen but I know people who have. Basically they just took some rubble rock and strategically positioned it around the clam in a way that held the shell in a natural position. Some had success and some didn't.

You should post some pic's of the clam?