Dying Clam?

[amanda_]

I just got a beautiful clam a week ago and its colour is fading and its developing some white blotch-colourations. I have a feeling my lighting isn't strong enough for it since its sitting in the sand. I had a similar problem with my hammer coral. (I know I should have looked into whether they needed powerful lighting first but I when I saw it I couldn't help myself!) Once I moved my hammer coral closer to the surface its been doing great, so will that work for my clam? Can I wedge it into rocks? or does it have to sit in sand? Thanks in advance!

[archer772]

What kind of clam, what is your lighting and how long has the tank been setup

[amanda_]

My tank has been set up for several months, the water params are perfect and constant. i have t5 lighting. i know i have enough watts but its still not strong enough for high light corals and such. I'm not sure what type of clam. Not sure if this helps but its a deep blue with bright blue "spots" along the outside of its mantel. The shell is a light beige.

[archer772]

I forgot to ask how tall the tank is also. Most clams do better in the rock work, I think there are 2 that prefer the SB, you say you have T-5 lighting what setup do you have or is it a retro and do the bulbs have individual reflectors. I would move it up but to be honest if your clam looks to be in poor health then it is probably to late (sorry). Here is a pic of 2 of 3 of my clams under T-5 lighting in a 24 inch deep tank and in the SB so it can be done.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/archer772/100_0153.jpg

[Almondsaz]

Amanda: if you can post a pick we can help with the ID and also the "current state" of the clam.

[scootrnerd]

i have heard you shouldn't keep clams under anything other than mh lighting.

[Pufferpunk]

I have 2 great clams under T5 lighting & they look wonderful. If it is a Crocea clam, they do not like to be in the sandbed, they prefer the rockwork where they can attach themselves. Put it as high as you can get it. Clams don't belong in tanks <6 months old.

[amanda_]

the clam in the picture archer772 posted looks like the one. I'm going to ask the guy at my lfs what type it is tomorrow. Its not too far gone, the discolourations and brown colour aren't too bad and i've heard clams lose colour when they don't have enough light. how can i attach it to the rocks or set it on the rocks properly?

[Pufferpunk]

Find a crevase to set it into.
Does it look like this? See how I have rock on either side of it? Eventually, it'll attach it's foot & stay there.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Pufferpunk/90gReef/CoralReefClam.jpg

Archer, Don't expect that blue Linkia to make it either...

[mandy21]

Beautiful clams. I'm still lovin' my Derasa and now want a Crocea or maxima.

Amanda, it's fairly easy to tell the different types of clams apart, IMO. http://www.clamsdirect.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1994 . I'm not always sure that I trust the LFS in the identification of things. On several occasions, I've had to reidentify. While they weren't off by much in terms of care, they were off enough for me to second guess something that is unfamiliar to me.

[amanda_]

after examining the shell and comparing it to that site, i think its a maxima. i have a lot of rock so should i set it up closer to the surface? i'll try to find a large enough crevase. if i don't have one can i prop a rock beside it or will that damage the clam?

[SHK_ATK]

I was going to say that it sounds like a maxima, anywho, try moving it up, find an empty shell or use a soapdish w/suction cups fill it with sand then put the soapdish or shell up towards the light.

[fastbackgly]

24" is pretty deep or T-5 lighting. The only way for that lighting to work is if you have at least 5 watts/gallon. My tank is 24" deep and I have MH and it's fantastic. The thing grew like crazy.

[Pufferpunk]

My 90g is 24" deep & I keep open brains on the substrate.

[fastbackgly]

Yeah. It depends on the clam as well. Some react different then others. I've had some that like less light and some that like more, even within the same species.

[Grins]

If your T5s aren't strong enough to support LPS I'm afraid they won't be enough for that Maxima. I'd take it back.