My clam is shrinking

[HumbleAsianReefer]

Water parameter :
Ca - 445
Mg - 1440
Kh - 7.9
Ph - 8.5
Po4 - 0.25

Tank Mates :
2 clarkii clownfish
1 scarlet skunk shrimp
2 trochus snails
1 red starfish
1 sea urchin

tank is 1 year old, 10gal barebottom nano. Kept the clam for almost 7 months now, size around 6-7inches. I was told its a maxima clam. Yesterday it was still fine, i realize today it shrink, wont react to light but still close it’s shell if i poke it. Please help

 

[HumbleAsianReefer]

Water parameter :
Ca - 445
Mg - 1440
Kh - 7.9
Ph - 8.5
Po4 - 0.25

Tank Mates :
2 clarkii clownfish
1 scarlet skunk shrimp
2 trochus snails
1 red starfish
1 sea urchin

tank is 1 year old, 10gal barebottom nano. Kept the clam for almost 7 months now, size around 6-7inches. I was told its a maxima clam. Yesterday it was still fine, i realize today it shrink, wont react to light but still close it’s shell if i poke it. Please help

 

[Guzman333]

Only thing I can see with your water is pH is pretty high. I’m not a seasoned vet by any means, but I am pretty sure you aren’t supposed to exceed 8.3. I know it does not seem like a lot, but that’s high.

 

[Tcook]

Sorry, but I think it's a goner. What lighting was it under? Other corals in the tank?

 

[anthonygf]

Take a pic with white light.

 

[HumbleAsianReefer]

Sorry, but I think it's a goner. What lighting was it under? Other corals in the tank?

So there’s really no hope for my clam? Aqua knight v2 running on 50% max intensity. Only have 2 coral, both euphyllia.

 

[HumbleAsianReefer]

Only thing I can see with your water is pH is pretty high. I’m not a seasoned vet by any means, but I am pretty sure you aren’t supposed to exceed 8.3. I know it does not seem like a lot, but that’s high.

Ahh, i see. I didnt know 8.5 was too high. All i was told by LFS, 8.5 is still in safe range

 

[HumbleAsianReefer]

Take a pic with white light.

 

[Miami Reef]

Ya, it’s a goner.

 

[HumbleAsianReefer]

Ya, it’s a goner.

Guess i need to take it out before it nuke my tank

 

[Thor2j]

Ahh, i see. I didnt know 8.5 was too high. All i was told by LFS, 8.5 is still in safe range

8.5 is NOT too high. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. Hard to achieve, but not too high at all.

 

[Dburr1014]

She is gone

 

[Tamberav]

Clams look fine until they suddenly don’t. They don’t really show a slow decline even if they have been in decline.. other than no/poor shell growth.

A 10g nano is no place for a large clam except maybe for experienced aquarist.

The red starfish, if a fromia type, may also eventually prematurely perish. Keep an eye on it. Stuff like this decaying in a small tank can cause issues.

 

[Tonycass12]

From your white light photo you can see algae growing on the top of the inside lip of the clam. If the clam had been healthy that should be shiny white from new growth. This clam has probably slowly been going downhill since it was put in your tank if not before. Id imagine your lights are not turned up enough as well. My maxima sits in over 500+par range.

 

[anthonygf]

Guess i need to take it out before it nuke my tank

Sorry! I lost a few in 7 years, I won't get anymore. Just too hard for some of us to keep alive. My oldest was 6-7 inches, had him 2 years, grew 2-3 inches and then just stopped growing and died. Nothing changed. I have the clam shells still, and the largest pair is home for my clowns.

 

[HBtank]

It's easy to underestimate their light demands, would guess this is the issue.

 

[Thor2j]

It's easy to underestimate their light demands, would guess this is the issue.

Mine sits at 250 par on the sand bed and grows like a weed. Had for awhile.

 

[HBtank]

Mine sits at 250 par on the sand bed and grows like a weed. Had for awhile.

I am going to guess his 36W light at 50% did not have that at the bottom of the tank, much less the 300-350+ I typically see recommended for Maxima clams.

 

[Kathy Floyd]

I'm sorry.

 

[Thor2j]

I am going to guess his 36W light at 50% did not have that at the bottom of the tank, much less the 300-350+ I typically see recommended for Maxima clams.

I agree with you 100%. I'm just stating clams don't need 500 par to thrive.