more clams dead

[jb1974]

I just wanted to add my story, if anything just to warn people...

About 1 month ago I added a Ponhepei maxima from an online retailer. I noticed within the week strange behaviours from my existing clams (the new max was gaping a little at the start). I had 8 existing clams :( Notice I used the word "had"...anyhow, I noticed that my maximas and squamosas were looking gapey (sp?). I noticed the derasas were looking closed up...I had recently upgraded from a 180 to a 360 and had added an additonal 250watt iwasaki to my 400watt radium over the clam area. I wasn't sure if the clams were stressed out form the move. I didn't think this was the case though as all my sensitive sps came through just great, coralline began coating the walls within 2 weeks of transfer and the sand bed was immediately showing signs of denitrification. I continued to and had always dosed Dt's. Things were and are extremely stable. I didn't think a 250 watt iwasaki (plus I ramped up the photoperiod adequately) addition would hurt them as a 400watt radium was over them before (equal par). I lost the Ponephei max about 2 weeks ago. I lost my huge beautiful bicolor ultra max about a week ago. I lost my 2 squamosas 2 days ago and the rest are still exhibiting the gaping etc... I noticed a thread on RC that talked about a strain of bacteria that could be infecting some clams at the wholesalers tanks. I do beleive this is bacetrial in nature. There is just no other way to explain this. All my clams were doing well before I added that one maxima.

I am desparate at this point to save the remaining 4 (I have lost 5 in total)...so desparate that I have resorted to trying chloramphenicol at the dosage of 20mg/L (Borneham) ...I dosed the clams (in quarantine) with it 2 days ago after losing the squamosas. The remaining 4 are holding on but look very sick :( I know this chemical is dangerous, but as I said, I needed to try this last resort.

I would advise (as others have done as well) not purchasing nay new clams for awhile (although it seems farmed clams are OK, just not wild). I hope no one else has to go through this as it is a real downer!!! I am learning more and more about the benefits of aquaculturing...I just seem to do it the hard way :(

J

[ 08 July 2002, 21:16: Message edited by: jb1974 ]