Freshwater Clams (dead or alive?)

A

Alexis

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Apr 25, 2003
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I bought 2 freshwater clams. I feed them with artemia (brine shrimp).
The point is: I have no idea if they are alive. I see no membrane outside their shelves. On the other hand I read that once they are dead they open up.

Any ideas on what should I do to be sure?

PS: Image attached.

Thank you.
Alex

Image000.jpg
 
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if the tank smells absolutely horrible, then they are dead. if it doesn't, they're still alive.
 
The one on the right looks alive. Dunno about the one on the left.

If they are alive they will show membrane or a small opening on the "long side" point of the shell. If you look at the left side of the clam on the right, you can sort of see what I mean.

Clams are filter feeders and brine shrimp are too big for them to eat. Most likely the dojos are eating the shrimp. Find some fine power food, like GP Larval Diet 5-50 Micron, for them to eat.

Usually when they die they bury themselves first. Then they die. Then they stink like crazy.

Are your clams burying themselves at all?

Roan
 
So they are both alive because I see a tiny opening on the long side point of their shelves. I see no membrane at all. And no they aren't burying themselves.

The "water snake" (Synbranchus marmoratus) you see in the image is fed with red worms but I will take your suggestion into account.

Thank you for your reply.
Alex


Roan Art said:
The one on the right looks alive. Dunno about the one on the left.

If they are alive they will show membrane or a small opening on the "long side" point of the shell. If you look at the left side of the clam on the right, you can sort of see what I mean.

Clams are filter feeders and brine shrimp are too big for them to eat. Most likely the dojos are eating the shrimp. Find some fine power food, like GP Larval Diet 5-50 Micron, for them to eat.

Usually when they die they bury themselves first. Then they die. Then they stink like crazy.

Are your clams burying themselves at all?

Roan
Click to expand...
 
Alexis said:
So they are both alive because I see a tiny opening on the long side point of their shelves. I see no membrane at all. And no they aren't burying themselves.
Click to expand...
Great! I had five and three of them always buried themselves. I hated it because that's when it's "dangerous". If they die in there you never know until the tank gets blech!

The "water snake" (Synbranchus marmoratus) you see in the image is fed with red worms but I will take your suggestion into account.
Click to expand...
Gosh, that guy looked like a dojo! But now that you mention it I don't see the feelers around his mouth.

http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?StartRow=1&ID=5319&what=species

What an awesome fish! Teeth?

Roan
 
can we rasie clam from the asian market?
 
Roan Art said:
Great! I had five and three of them always buried themselves. I hated it because that's when it's "dangerous". If they die in there you never know until the tank gets blech!


http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?StartRow=1&ID=5319&what=species

Gosh, that guy looked like a dojo! But now that you mention it I don't see the feelers around his mouth.

What an awesome fish! Teeth?

Roan
Click to expand...

I wouldn't have issues like that because it's a 60Liters tank so not that big that I would lose track of a dead clam. Besides I only have 2 of them and they are quite big as you could see from the photo.


What an awesome picture you found, Roan! Great! Yes... they have extremely sharp, conical teeth. I don't know what a mojo is but I'll find out. She gets truly impatient around 19:00 because that's food time. She devours the frozen cube of red worms like a true snake. Very interesting creature.

:-)
 
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