New clam..not taking root?

[Andrew Schubert]

Hello,

I just got my first clam. Its a 2.5 inch Tridacna maxima ultra grade clam. I've had it for 4 days now, and am wondering if something could be wrong with it. I've placed it on one of those claim hammocks, but so far after 4 days it still has not even begun to take root. His mantle is out..but just barely. Do I just need more patience, or is this an indicator that something is wrong with the clam?

I bought him from liveaquaria, and from their description they make it sound like I should have expected him to start taking root within the first day.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Your clam will like gentle flow. What kind of lights are you running? They are light hogs. Also stable parameters. Post a pic.

 

[Andrew Schubert]

Your clam will like gentle flow. What kind of lights are you running? They are light hogs. Also stable parameters. Post a pic.

 

[Andrew Schubert]

View attachment 1325934

I'm running 2 sets of Ap700 with a set of 48inch DIY t5 lights. 2 blue plus and 2 coral plus.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Hi Andrew. Sorry but I don’t feel your clam is in good health. I hope I’m wrong. Does it open up and extend the mantel more than this? I also don’t see a white new growth ring on the edge of the shell. If this one does not make it I may consider no clams for a while Incase this one was sick.

 

[Andrew Schubert]

Hi Andrew. Sorry but I don’t feel your clam is in good health. I hope I’m wrong. Does it open up and extend the mantel more than this? I also don’t see a white new growth ring on the edge of the shell. If this one does not make it I may consider no clams for a while Incase this one was sick.

I've only had it a week...but no it hasn't opened anymore then this. Tried to target feed it some plankton tonight, but just completely closed up when I did that.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Skip target feeding it. The lack of clean new shell on the edge tells me it has not been healthy for a while. They like strong light, mild flow, and a little bit of no3 and stable alk. Keep me posted.

 

[RyanHoan]

My first clam (1.5”) died for no apparent reason. My next two were bigger (3”) and are thriving. I’ll never go smaller than 3” in the future.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Hi Andrew. I purchased a blue maxima similar to yours. (2”). I had him down at the bottom of the tank in a little diy cradle like the one you have. It did terrible there. I thought for sure I was going to loose it. So I placed it appx. 6” from the top of the tank and week after week it got stronger and healthier. $100 clam, I was thrilled. Today 6 months later, it’s doing excellent! Glad I took that chance. Good luck.

 

[DSC reef]

I agree with others, the clam doesn't appear to be in good health. Also, a clam laying byssal threads does not mean the clam is doing well, it's using them to stabilize itself. Similar to full mantle extension it can be a false indicator of a healthy clam. New shell growth at the upper margin of the shell is what a healthy tridacna will show. No need to feed, especially target feeding. Hope it pulls through.