Derasa pearl

[whatcaneyedo]

... or at least it would be if it wasn't deposited on the side of the shell. Normally I delight in being able to post unique things on this forum but this one came with the unfortunate death of my Derasa. I purchased the clam almost a year ago from Blue World in Edmonton. It seemed like something wasn't quite right with it from the beginning as it never did show any new shell growth and perhaps this is why.

The day that it died I also plucked this 10" long bristle worm out from underneath its decaying body. I don't know if the worm had anything to do with the clam's death but it was the largest by far that I've ever removed from my tank.

At least the very large Squamosa that I purchased a year and a half ago from a local shutdown is still living and growing.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/IMG_9715_zps11d97f20.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/IMG_9711_zps1a14443c.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/IMG_9707.jpg

[christyf5]

Ugh that sucks. That is a large conchiolin (shell) deposit due to something irritating the clam. They put down excessive amounts of shell to try to wall off whatever is trying to get in. Often, if a lot of effort is put into creating the conchiolin, the clam can go into decline as it is using all of its resources for that instead of usual growth etc.

Sorry to see that, that is one of the largest deposits I've seen. Did you break it open to see what was inside?

[whatcaneyedo]

Thanks, I was looking for the right definition of those formations but I thought 'pearl' would attract more attention. I'm pretty curious to know whats in there as well but I don't want to destroy the shell. Perhaps my curiosity will get the better of me later and I'll run it through my diamond blade bandsaw. In the mean time I'm just going to add it to my collection of clam shells and not buy anymore so long as my Squamosa keeps on living.

[christyf5]

What does the outside of the shell look like? Does it "bulge" out at all or have any indication that there is something in there?

[whatcaneyedo]

It looks completely normal to me from the outside. I had no idea that it existed until the clam was dead.

Here is the side where the deposit is.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/IMG_9755.jpg

Here is the other side with no deposit.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/IMG_9756.jpg

[kien]

That's sad, yet cool at the same time. Sorry about the clam. I too am curious what's inside!

[Lance]

Yeah, we're all curious: bust that sucker open! :twised:

[christyf5]

LOL!!

Whatever it is, it must have gotten in early on in the development, you can barely see a scar.

[Duker]

Weird.....I too would like to see it once you cut through it. It looks soft.

[fishoholic]

Yeah, we're all curious: bust that sucker open! :twised:

+1

[michika]

+2

[zum14]

If you wanted to keep the shell in one piece you could always use a dremel with a diamond bit and do a bit of exploratory surgery.

[christyf5]

Really it probably wouldn't even need a dremel, just an awl or something sharp like a pencil (only more sturdy) its likely really brittle and thin-walled (at least thats been my experience with them).