small white cone shaped shell on clams

[johngp]

Hi,

Ive noticed quite a few very small white cone shaped shells on or near the mantle of my clams, should I be concerned ?

Thanks

 

[mogurnda]

Maybe, if they are pyramidellid snails. They prey on tridacnids and can be a huge problem.

Here's a photo from wetwebmedia:

 

[johngp]

Dave - thanks; difficult to tell from the photo the ones on the clams are minute; but they cant be good news. Ive siphoned as many off as possible and will keep a watchful eye

 

[mogurnda]

Sorry about the photo, John. Here's one from Barry Neigut's Clams Direct forum.

You might check over there, if nobody gives you a good treatment here. I haven't dealt with pyramids.

 

[johngp]

Yep Dave those are the **** things; bit scary - looks like Ive got my work cut out to get rid of them.

 

[johngp]

Well today I removed the clam from the tank (taking the foot of the rock was difficult and I think a few stands ripped); I scrubbed the clam and even though it looked clean there must have been 30 snails on the bottom of the container.

The clam is back in now and I hope the foot is OK.. only time will tell I guess.

 

[mogurnda]

Best of luck!

If the clam has anchored itself, it's generally best to cut the strands close to the rock with a razor blade. If you plan to move the clam in the future, you might put a small piece of shell underneath it, to provide an anchorage that can be moved.