Clam lost byssal gland HELP ME!!

[BowieReefer84]

So here is the deal. I woke up this morning and saw a white thready thing (byssal gland) where my clam was up mid tank on a flat rock. The clam had fallen down to the bottom. Happened last night. Up until this point the clam was not gaping, had good reaction to light, was growing rows on its shell (it's a maxima). I am not sure what would have caused this to happen. The clam is 2.1/2". I placed him back up on the flat rock, before I left for work but am very worried.

 

Is there a chance the clam will survive? I am leaving tonight to go out of town for 3 days, and don't want to fowl my tank with a dead clam.

 

ANY advice would be truly appreciated.

[F&Fmgr]

here

 

Ive seen them grow back sometimes, sometimes not

[BowieReefer84]

If it dies will it crash my tank? its a 29gal tank and a small clam?

 

 

[El Camaron]

this happened to one of mine a while ago and it was fine, it was probably getting more than enough light and decided to move.

[BowieReefer84]

I am going to place it on a piece of perfectly flat tile. Give it a chance to reattach. Might even build a little wall with frag plugs to keep him from falling off another cliff....

[BowieReefer84]

Ok, I am at work . . .but researching all this stuff on clams lol. I found this picture http://media.photobucket.com/image/clam%20without%20byssal%20gland/OhioMom3/DSC03538.jpg (IT IS NOT MINE). What my clam did was not that. It's less and doesn't look flesh like, but more stringy. I hope it is ok. I am OCD about this right now.

[Coral Hind]

I doubt the clam lost the gland or foot. What you are seeing are the threads or bundle of threads that the gland lays down to secure itself to the rock. When they want to move they simply detach from the treads and use their gland or foot to walk.

[BowieReefer84]

I doubt the clam lost the gland or foot. What you are seeing are the threads or bundle of threads that the gland lays down to secure itself to the rock. When they want to move they simply detach from the treads and use their gland or foot to walk.

Yea, I have to agree with you the more reading I do. Prior to getting the clam I researched all the requirements, but none of the potential issues. Like I said always has full mantle extension when lights are on, always a fresh row of mantle on top, and reacts great to light. Seems healthy all around. Good color blue to boot. I will check on him tonight when I get home from work. Try to find a old bathroom tile chip to place him on.

 

The thing I saw was pure white and stringy with a small round bunch of what looked like the stringy stuff. Nothing looked at all "fleshy" as the picture I posted. Also, nothing in my tank has the power to pull him from his spot. I have a 2" clown and a 1" chromis. I doubt a turbo snail climbing on him would have caused him to lose his foot.

[Coral Hind]

I would not stress about the clam. I would remove the tread bundle when you can as they tend to get nasty if just left in the tank.

 

What type of clam do you have? Not all clams like to be up in the rocks and some prefer to be down in the sand. An increase in lighting or an aggressive neighbor could have made it want to move.

[BowieReefer84]

I would not stress about the clam. I would remove the tread bundle when you can as they tend to get nasty if just left in the tank.

 

What type of clam do you have? Not all clams like to be up in the rocks and some prefer to be down in the sand. An increase in lighting or an aggressive neighbor could have made it want to move.

 

 

It's a Tridacna maxima. I had it sitting on flatrock midtank of a 29 gallon (approx 20" from bulb, bulb is 10" above water) under a 150halide 14k phoenix. I don't think it could have been a neighbor. The only things close are zoas, mushrooms, and star polyps... It is not touching these either.

[zygote2k]

sushi time. eat it before it dies.

[Jan]

Clams attach and detach their gland sometimes. It's nothing to worry about unless it's showing signs of dying; not responding to light, not opening fully, not entending it's mantel, etc.. the concern with the bysal gland is when it's ripped accidentally.

[BowieReefer84]

sushi time. eat it before it dies.

Hmmm.. . .I would rather just throw it in the trash if it dies. You are more than welcome to come over and eat it. I would like to see that, and film it as well . . . .

[Jan]

+1 threads

I doubt the clam lost the gland or foot. What you are seeing are the threads or bundle of threads that the gland lays down to secure itself to the rock. When they want to move they simply detach from the treads and use their gland or foot to walk.

[flowerseller]

Hmmm.. . .I would rather just throw it in the trash if it dies. You are more than welcome to come over and eat it. I would like to see that, and film it as well . . . .

Don't waste footage filming him eat the dead clam. Save it for after when it comes back up along with everything else.

 

Unless you see clear signs of stress, the clam will be fine and Rob will have to eat elsewhere.

[zygote2k]

I would only eat it if it's alive and healthy. There is giant clam on the menu sometimes when I go to the sushi bar.

[BowieReefer84]

Just got back from 2 nights away. All that is left is an empty shell. Hermits and Fish ate well... RIP. Sorry Rob, none left for you.