Clams

[DaveC]

I have two smaller clams about 3 - 4 inches or so...both have been in the tank for approx 2 months and doing good... they are Maxima clams, and have both sat next to each other every since they have been in the tank...they sort of just moved so there shells were touching, now on is starting to grow some fleshy parts onto the outside shell of the other and are starting to become fused together..should I try and pull them apart...before it to late and will not be able to do it..

Thanks
Dave C

[Chuck S]

Is there a way to post a picture? Clams do not grow fleshy anything on the outside of their shell. A clams mantle completely retracts into the protective shell. They would not be growing on each other. This might be some type of coral or sponge growing on the outer shell of one of the clams. If you buy the book Giant Clams you will see the reproductive cycle of a clam. There is not asexual reproduction of clams. If you are worried simply move them apart. I have about 6 different clams and have them together and apart. In fact I have 2 7-8 inch deresa's together and they are fine.

[DaveC]

attached is a photo that is really not that clear the substance that is right now loosely hold the clams together is almost transparent in color, some of it is whitish which you can see some of it..but probably not a good enough picture to determine anything..

[Chuck S]

No clear determination as a MACRO shot would be necessary to see. Try gently moving them an inch apart. The only way the clams could attach is is there bottoms were on each other where the byssal glands could attach.

[SueT]

That looks like byssal thread to me. If one clam is on it's side and touching the other clams mantle that may be it just attaching to the other clam to feel secure. If those are indeed byssal threads do NOT break them apart and rip it. That could tear the entire byssal gland out of the one attached. If this is the byssal you can gently pull them apart not tearing them but firmly removing til that one lets go. The other option is clipping the byssal thread as close to the other clam as possible. You can use a razor blade or whatever you are most comfortable with. Make the cut as close to where it is stuck to the other clams shell. I would then make sure the clams gland is in tact and watch for a few days. HTH...

[kevinpo]

I have a T. crocea that has attached to the T. maxima next to it. Small clams often feel the need to attach to something. I just left mine alone.

Regards,
Kevin

[DaveC]

When I put the clams in the tank, I placed a small flat piece of LR just under the sand hoping that they would attach to that...one of them did and then the other attached to the other clam...I have gently pulled them apart as far as I dare to and wedged a very small piece of rock there just to hold some pressure on it...hopefully like Sue said maybe he will let go and all will be okay...thats and yes I would love to get a better camera, Christmas is coming and that was on my list..so who knows...maybe I have been good?? Its amazing that this hobby takes you in different directions...spend alot of money on equipment then you need to spend alot of money of a camera to take nice pictures of all your expensive corals and equipments to show off....and then you can spend money on a controller to hook up to your computer and on and on and on...so Reef Keeping is more than just fish supplies, it branches off in many different directions..but I am glad that I got into this hobby, very rewarding and so far besides making a few bad purchases of equipment only to buy a better one things have worked out great and no major set backs and you read from some people...knock on wood..

Thanks
Dave C