clam with broken hinge

[christyf5]

So I've had my squamosa clam for about 4 years now. Bought it at about 3" and its now over 8". It had been doing really well up until late last week when I noticed it was looking a bit deflated, the exhalant siphon was sagging and the mantle was partially retracted at the inhalant siphon. I was concerned as the MH lights had been on for some time so it wasn't just "waking up". I reached in, thinking it had gotten to close to a coral and perhaps was being stung (its surrounded by ricordeas) and the clam shells moved independently of each other. Not good. I gently closed the clam (he wasn't interested in closing much) and looked at the underside, while he was still in the water and saw that the hinge was completely gone. There was nothing holding the two shells together. !@#%

I PMed our resident clam expert TimT and he said to try crazy glueing some velcro in place of the hinge. I was a bit skeptical (and somewhat confused) but went for it. Here are some photos of the "surgery"

Missing hinge photo:


ok that is a crap photo in which you can't see much. Basically there was a big hole where the hinge normally would be. LOL, stupid cell phone pics. I had to clip a few of the scutes to provide a flat surface for the velcro to attach to.

addition of velcro:


back in the tank:


20 mins later:



I didn't do any "before" photos (never thought to) but he basically looked the same as the after. Here is what the affected area looked like (and still sort of looks like):


and today (with photobomber)!


Its still not as happy looking as I'd like but with the way its sitting at least the two shells are supported and fixed together whereas previously they would have been all over the place at this angle.

Anyway, just thought I'd share and thanks to Tim for the help and advice!