Whats wrong with my Clams?

sphelps · #1 03-01-2012, 06:40 PM

Cleaner wrasses are known to be problematic with clams. Too bad I didn't notice that earlier.

MarkoD · #2 03-01-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Cleaner wrasses are known to be problematic with clams. Too bad I didn't notice that earlier.

Lol thats what the discussion was with trying to figure something out to cover the clams so that the cleaner wrasse couldn't swim through

sphelps · #3 03-01-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Lol thats what the discussion was with trying to figure something out to cover the clams so that the cleaner wrasse couldn't swim through

Yeap I see that now, I just never noticed any reference to a cleaner wrasse before. All your other fish are not known for clam picking. I don't think a cage is the answer though, you'll have to ultimately choose between clams and the wrasse, if he eats well catching him and putting him in the sump might be a good temporary option.

MarkoD · #4 03-01-2012, 06:53 PM

Luckily it's the dumbest fish I have. It swims right into the trap at the first sight of food. I'm gonna take it out and put it in the fuge to see if there's any change

naesco · #5 03-01-2012, 07:48 PM

Looked at your fish list.
Didn't you have a moorish idol?
If so where is it?

MarkoD · #6 03-01-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naesco

Looked at your fish list.
Didn't you have a moorish idol?
If so where is it?

Got destroyed by a tank mate. Assuming it was one of the tangs. He died the next day. Happened last week.

Yeah I'll keep an eye out on the foxface.

Thanks for giving actual solutions that could help instead of jumping to "water change fixes everything"

tim the toolman · #7 03-01-2012, 08:16 PM

Keeping in mind the death of the moorish idol could it also be possible that the idol was eating a nuisance critter that is no longer being controlled in the tank? I know they thrive primarily on sponges and such, but in the wild they are also well known for eating benthic invertibrates which is a rather large spectrum of invertebrates including some which live in home aquaria. (Just a thought)

sphelps · #8 03-01-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Thanks for giving actual solutions that could help instead of jumping to "water change fixes everything"

Keep in mind that the clam recovery and long term survival is still reliant on water quality, clams do in fact need strontium and iodine among other elements. Best way to insure a good balance of such elements is through water changes. The previous advice was still sound, I wouldn't omit it.

TimT · #9 03-01-2012, 07:50 PM

Catching the cleaner wrasse is a good idea. While your at the cleaner wrasse keep an eye on the foxface. I have had them nibble clams mantles in the past. I once had a rabbitfish that ate Xenia as well.

reefgirl189 · #10 03-01-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Lol thats what the discussion was with trying to figure something out to cover the clams so that the cleaner wrasse couldn't swim through

This might be an odd idea but could you get a pasta strainer to place over them? You'd proably need to weigh it down with a rock or something. OR maybe try lining the inside of a strawberry basket with some patio door screening.

I think because the change was indeed so drastic that it's more likely one of your fish has developed a sudden taste for the clams.

I do think they could benefit from a large WC though... even if you can only do 10 gallons a day for a week or so it may help. It certainly couldn't hurt anything anyway...