[vtec si]

Hello,

I have a question about my T. Max Ultra gapping. I have been told that when they are small like 2 to 3 inches that they wil gape for awhile. When will it seal up? The mantle extends out nicely and seems to be growing but, the gap does not seem to be closing.

Thank,

Martin

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by vtec si

Hello,

I have a question about my T. Max Ultra gapping. I have been told that when they are small like 2 to 3 inches that they wil gape for awhile. When will it seal up? The mantle extends out nicely and seems to be growing but, the gap does not seem to be closing.

Thank,

Martin

Martin,

How long since the clam was introduced to the tank? It is not a requirement for a clam of any size to gape but they do this sometimes, especially during acclimation to the new environment. it would be easier to judge what it looks like if we could see a picture of it. Slightly open incurrent syphon is not a big deal, the fact that it extends its mantle well is a good sign.
Is it responsive to light changes?

[vtec si]

Gene,

I will post a pic of him in the morn or mabe tomarrow night. I have had him about two weeks know. I got him and two sps frags at the same time.

Matin

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by vtec si

Gene,

I will post a pic of him in the morn or mabe tomarrow night. I have had him about two weeks know. I got him and two sps frags at the same time.

Matin

Ok Martin. Looking forvard to the pictures.

[kevinpo]

When the mantle is extended past the rim of the shell it's usually not a problem but if you see the mantle sunk into the shell and retracted from it then it's very serious. Quick action will then be needed like moving it to a new location or different tank. Is it attached to a rock? A picture would be very helpful.

Regards,
Kevin

[vtec si]

OK here are the pic's I just took!

Not best pics!


Thanks,

Martin

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by vtec si

OK here are the pic's I just took!

Not best pics!


Thanks,

Martin

Hi Martin,

No, those are not the best pics and it is hard to see much. Can I make a suggestion on pic taking? Try not to use any zoom on your camera at all, just get as close as you can to the clam and make sure it is in focus, take a pic and send it to me via email. I'll see if i can edit it in the photoshop and post it for you here.
FWIW, I couldn't see any gaping in those images and mantle is extended just about all the way beyond rim if the shell(which is a good sign). I would leave it alone and let it acclimate to new environment, it does take quite some time in certain cases. It all depends how clam was shipped, acclimated in transition and whole bunch of other things.

[vtec si]

Thanks Gene,
I will send you a pic of the clam just as soon as I can get a good one.


Martin

[vtec si]

Here are more pic's taken today.

[kevinpo]

The clam looks healthy and happy to me.

Regards,
Kevin

[tatuvaaj]

I agree with Kevin, looks like a healthy clam.

[vtec si]

Thanks, I am glade that you think it is health. But it still is gapping on the opp' side of the valve.

Martin

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by vtec si

Thanks, I am glade that you think it is health. But it still is gapping on the opp' side of the valve.

Martin

Martin,

Where is it gaping? I cannot see anything remotely similar in your pictures resembling condition described as "gaping". True gaping clam will withdraw it's mantle into the shell and it's both syphons will be wide open. I mean really wide open, it would loose it's control of adductor muscle and it would become none reactive to any stimuli. After that it would die. I hope this is not the case here and from the looks of your clam it does not appear to be one.
So, enjoy your clam and leave it alone.

[vtec si]

gene,

If you look really hard in the last pic that I posted(TOP VIEW LOOKING DOWN) you can see it on the right side is a wide open GAP! But the clam seems to be doing fine!?

Thanks for all your help,

Martin

[vtec si]

Maybe this will help.



It wount upload

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by vtec si

gene,

If you look really hard in the last pic that I posted(TOP VIEW LOOKING DOWN) you can see it on the right side is a wide open GAP! But the clam seems to be doing fine!?

Thanks for all your help,

Martin

Martin,

I saw the incurrent syphon in that last picture and it looks fine, at least in my opinion. I have to look for a picture I once took of a truly gaping/duying T.squamosa, that picture worth a thousand words. I will try to find it for you and than post it here.

OK, found it. Take a closer look at the excurent syphon, you can see how widely it is open together with the incurent syphon. This particular clam didn't ship well and arrived duying already. In this picture the clan had already lost control of adductor muscle and didn't react to any stimuli.

[vtec si]

Thank Gene,

I tryed to upload a pic that I refind but its to big.

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by vtec si

Thank Gene,

I tryed to upload a pic that I refind but its to big.

Send me this picture and I'll try to resize it for you and post it here in your post.
zhenya@reefland.com

[Barry N.]

From what I could see, it looked good to me

[vtec si]

Gene,

Picture has been sent.

Barry,

Please look at the picture when Gene post it.

Thanks,

Martin