baio44 February 27, 2010 Share February 27, 2010 Any tricks for removing a small clam's foot from a rock. Don't want to hurt her just by pulling. Do i pull, twist, razor blade, annoy? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveller7 February 27, 2010 Share February 27, 2010 Assuming it is a Maxima, Crocea, etc., in my experience, you'll want to trim the bysal filaments: extremely carefully. I used very sharp, stainless, scissors when I could, a razor blade when there was not space. Trim closest to the rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller February 27, 2010 Share February 27, 2010 Assuming it is a Maxima, Crocea, etc., in my experience, you'll want to trim the bysal filaments: extremely carefully. I used very sharp, stainless, scissors when I could, a razor blade when there was not space. Trim closest to the rock. All above my opinion as well. I used a scalpel since it was easier to handle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davelin315 February 27, 2010 Share February 27, 2010 Make sure you don't cut the byssal organ or the clam will die. Just do as recommended and cut the filaments that are attaching the clam to the rock as close to the rock as possible. I would just cut with a razor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw February 28, 2010 Share February 28, 2010 I think that the best way is to steam it until the shell starts to open and then serve with butter and cocktail sauce! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller February 28, 2010 Share February 28, 2010 I think that the best way is to steam it until the shell starts to open and then serve with butter and cocktail sauce! A few steamed zoas as garnish wouldn't hurt either would it Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baio44 February 28, 2010 Author Share February 28, 2010 That does sound delicious! But that would be a pricey meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw February 28, 2010 Share February 28, 2010 A few steamed zoas as garnish wouldn't hurt either would it Steve. Sorry, had that meal already......never again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmubeach February 28, 2010 Share February 28, 2010 Would putting an icecube on the foothold make it let loose without cutting or do you have to cut it free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveller7 February 28, 2010 Share February 28, 2010 Ice won't help, but could create bysal gland issues. Need to target the threads themselves, and they are not retractable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucelli March 1, 2010 Share March 1, 2010 Do not pull at it no matter what you do. You risk tearing the bysal foot. If you can't reach the filaments with scissors or razor, it's best to chip off the piece of rock it's attached to. -R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind March 1, 2010 Share March 1, 2010 Tilt the clam slightly over to one side so you can see the strands and cut them a few at a time. I have also had luck pointing a power head at them. Once they get irritated they will drop the bundle from within and move or bail from that location to find something better. The strand bundle will be left in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan March 1, 2010 Share March 1, 2010 (edited) Can you get under the clam to the rock? I would try cutting the rock with a pair of bone cutters and leave the bysal gland intact. Using a razor blade when it's attached to glass like at the bottom of your tank is fine. Too much manipulation while it's attached to a rock may cause ripping to the bysal bland and clams don't usually survive tears to the bysal gland. In the future whenever you get a clam do not place it directly into the rock work and let it attach itself there first. Place the clam in a plastic bowl filled with larger than rubble pieces of rock so that it can attach itself to the loose rock first, once attached you can attach that rock to anything. You also want to make sure that the clam is as close to light as possible. Never wedge a clam in between the rock work. It looks great but the clam will get bigger and wont be able to open fully. They need to open wide to pull in nutrients from the water and to get maximum light, these are the things they need most for survival. If you're not too far away I can help. LMK. Edited March 1, 2010 by Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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