Why are all of my clams dying???

[doch]

OK... seriously frustrated.... wait... no, MAD!!! I had a Squamosa die a couple of weeks ago, then I come home from work this wek to find a dead Maxima, then go out today, come back and I have a dead Crocea. WTF??? All of my parameters are good... (Phosphates - 0.02 Nitrates - less than 5 Calc 400 Alk 8 Mag 1250, no amonia, no nitrates) On the 2 squamosas in the sand (one still living) I found bristle worms, but no pyramid snails. Can't tell about the Max and Croc, because up until they dies they were stuck solid onto the rocks. I do have a Niger Trigger, and a Flame angel, but I'v never noticed them nipping at all. Any thoughts or tips? Before I came home today I bought 2 more clams... I don't want to lose them.... please help!! Thanks!

BTW I've heard that a lot of people in Edmonton are losing clams lately... not too sure on the validity of this, but there it is.

[Dez]

Not sure Johnny, all of mine seem to be okay. You can always bring your 2 new clams over for me to babysit. Your Frags are ready anyway. Clams are a strange thing. Sometimes you just never know what's wrong. They don't nessesarily like pristine water conditions.

[coreyskylar]

One of mine is opening less and less everyday, if that helps.

[Borderjumper]

I'm going thru exactly the same thing.. I've lost four so far. The clam will appear fine and happy one day, then the next morning the shell is gapped so far open it's tearing the syphon hole. then dead that evening. I would think that if it were a disease or a pathogen that they would all die at once.. Not one every 4 days or so. A few have been in my tank for years. I bought new clams last month.. Lost one new one and three established ones.. I moved the remaining three to my frag tank to see if they do better in there.

I've noticed my cleaner shrimp around them lately, maybe they are eating them at night from the bottom?? I just have no clue. like you, water is good and everything else is ok.. 3 tangs in the tank, a regal,yellow, and naso. the mantels don't look picked on.. They just spread apart at the hinge.

[Borderjumper]

On the bright side.. I have a nice collection of empty $80 clam shells

[doch]

Thanks for the offer Dez! But no thanks. Lol. Borderjumper... I can't bare to keep the shells... Turf them all imediately. I just hope my other squamosa doesn't die... I LOVE it... Bright blue! I think all the clams may be coming up to Fort Mac with me on Sunday... Hopethey do better there!

[whatcaneyedo]

What a coincidence. This has been a horrible year for me too. I've lost 4 clams as well: a squamosa, crocea and two maxima. I've been looking but I cannot find any parasitic snails either. The squamosa was my most recent addition and it wasn't too long after that it and some of the others started showing some bad signs. Loss of color, poor mantle extension or pinched areas. I gave many of them fresh water dips and in some cases it seemed to help but for others they were already too far gone. Two of the clams I had for about 5 years... What I have left is a 5 year old crocea, 3 year old derasa and a 2 year old maxima. I believe the squamosa brought something into my tank with it. I really need to start quarantining better.

[Delphinus]

Unfortunately ... this is hugely common. One of the worst things for a clam is to be in the same tank as another dead clam. If one goes on you, you have to get it out right away otherwise it kicks off a chain reaction. Basically you have to cull them before they're actually dead if you think they're past the point of no return. It sucks. I've lost 5 or 6 in the last 3 months myself and they were all >5 years in my care so I've been seriously hit hard by the losses myself ... I know your frustration.

[Cameron]

I just lost a clam today that Ive had for a couple years....

Go to move him and I notice a strange worm....not quite a bristle worm either.....****

[The Grizz]

Same here 4 clams this year as well.