[WHOSYOURDADDY]

I recently purchased this beauty and did not notice in the store the Aiptasia (glass anemone) attached to the clam. Over the last few weeks with the target feeding that the clam has recieved they have become quite noticable.

http://www.reefland.com/myaqlog/publ...48&userid=4490

I have been looking at various ways to remove them from the clam and my system but to this point don't see any real easy way of doing it.

One the the methods I am consdering is (vacumning) them from the clam.

Does nayone have any suggestions of this problem.

[Poseidon]

I would try Joes Juice. VERY CAREFULLY! It has worked well for me, in target areas. I have an aiptasia problem right now that is my fault... Bad ME!

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

I would try Joes Juice. VERY CAREFULLY! It has worked well for me, in target areas. I have an aiptasia problem right now that is my fault... Bad ME!

Thanks Poseidon for the heads-up and have just been at their web site and looks like that is the ticket. There are 2 LFS stores listed in my area so I'll be making a run later this week to get some. I'll post the results next week, by then hopefully the problem is over.

[kevinpo]

Hello James,
You can take the clam out of the tank and use a toothbrush to remove them. I would do it over a sink and then quickly rinse the shell in fresh water or a small amount of tank water.

Regards,
Kevin

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Originally Posted by kevinpo

Hello James,
You can take the clam out of the tank and use a toothbrush to remove them. I would do it over a sink and then quickly rinse the shell in fresh water or a small amount of tank water.

Regards,
Kevin

Thanks 4 the reply Kevin, you brought up some points of interest here.
First, when I purchased the Clam from my LFS they advised me not to let air get to the clam. Now living along the east coast I do have freshwater clams all around me and know that they will survive for a short period of time out of water.

Second, from articles that I have read, there seems to be a concensious of opinion that if bits or parts of the anemone remain they can and usually will regenerate into more anemones.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/in...a/aiptasia.htm

The question that comes to my mind is "Can I get all of the anemone(s) removed, without leaving parts of them intact to regenerate later".

As I research this issue the question really comes down to how do I want to remove them. Naturally, physically, chemical or by mechanical means. I prefer naturally which has got me looking at Berghia verrucicornis nudibranches

The main proble for me is I have not seen them sold locally in my area, I would need to order them.

[Reefland]

James,

Are they just on the clam? If so I would get a bowl and put tank water in it, place the clam in the bowl and gently scrub them off with a toothbrush. If you have Aiptasia throughout the tank then I would look at a manual or natural removal.

[zhenya]

James,

I had personally removed clams from my 110g tank to clean for as long as 10 minutes.Like Kevin said, it would probably be the easiest way to remove all of them. What I also did, if more time is required, is to have a small backet of tank water ready to place clam in after cleaning, this will help to see if you missed any of the little buggers. I still take clams( that are not attached, of course) for inspection and cleaning on a regular bases, especially my 8 inch squamosa becouse it gets some bubble algae growing on the shell now and then. Plus, I can take a look at the byssal and see if anything made its way there to make a home.

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Originally Posted by Reefland

James,

Are they just on the clam? If so I would get a bowl and put tank water in it, place the clam in the bowl and gently scrub them off with a toothbrush. If you have Aiptasia throughout the tank then I would look at a manual or natural removal.

All but 1 are on or in the clam itself the other 1 has moved to a piece of base rock that I can remove from the aquarium.

Originally Posted by zhenya

James,

I had personally removed clams from my 110g tank to clean for as long as 10 minutes.Like Kevin said, it would probably be the easiest way to remove all of them. What I also did, if more time is required, is to have a small backet of tank water ready to place clam in after cleaning, this will help to see if you missed any of the little buggers. I still take clams( that are not attached, of course) for inspection and cleaning on a regular bases, especially my 8 inch squamosa becouse it gets some bubble algae growing on the shell now and then. Plus, I can take a look at the byssal and see if anything made its way there to make a home.

http://www.reefland.com/myaqlog/publ...48&userid=4490

The above link shows the buggers on and around the mantle they have actually moved into the clam itself.

link below shows latest condition of clam

http://www.reefland.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=2652

[Reefland]

James,

Just so you know you can "Post Comment" about your clam in the log and upload an updated picture as you go, wasn't sure if you knew you could do that or not.

Anyhow, I would definitely remove the clam today and get rid of those guys and do the same on the liverock, hopefully you'll catch it before it is a bigger problem.

[Reefland]

By the way, I think this is a T. crocea opposed to a T. maxima.

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by Reefland

By the way, I think this is a T. crocea opposed to a T. maxima.

Definately a T.crocea.

James,

Yikes! Like Scott recommended, remove it as soon as possible and give it a thorough cleaning, use small razor blade if needed to scrape remains out of crevices on the shell into the sink, rince the shell to see if anyhting left out( it;s easier to see when those buggers are in the water) and repeat if needed. After scraping, I would use a clean(never used) toothbrush as well to clean all the little crevices really well. You can repeat in a few days if you missed any of them, applying any of the chemicals while in the tank may cause more problems than actually help. The one that is really close to the mantle, be carefull with that one if you going to use the razor, make sure the clam is closed up before attempting to clean it.

Another suggestion I would offer is when you will be replacing it into the display, make sure that you ease it in the water upsidown and give it a gentle tap on the shell with you finger. This may help to dislodge any air bubbles from the gills that may be traped there from being exposed to the air( this procedure is usually called "burping a clam" , yes, just like the babies.. )

And, good luck! Your clam will thank you for it becouse I can see from the picture that anemones preventing it from fully opening it;s mantle and getting all the light that it needs.

[josh_crosson]

now that sounds like a real problem, but i have a question regaurding the splitting of non-problem anemones, how do i know when one is going to split, or how can i make it split what does it look like cause i had a bubble tip once and it had gotten a hole right through it and i called up a place and said it had a hole right through it and he said it was probably gonna split then two days later it died....ever smelled a dead anemone, god i gagged! lol how do i know?

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Well it is done - thank you everyone that gave me their advise and suggestions.

Heading to work yesterday, I stopped and picked up the tools of my trade.

Razor Blades and toothbrush (reminded me of when I was in the Army and on latrine duty)

I was able to remove the clam to scrap and scrub it without exposing it to air.

Originally Posted by zhenya

( this procedure is usually called "burping a clam" , yes, just like the babies.. )

Your right about the baby part zhenya but in my case it spit at me If your not used to it and not expecting it - it makes you jump like me.

I have placed it back into the community and will continue to observe it over the next several days to see if I missed any of the pests on it.

Again I thank everyone for their advise and suggestions!!!!

P.S. zhenya thanks for clearifying the species my LFS sells real nice stock but does a lousey job with proper identifcation on the display cases. Most time I have to research the family and species. I have updated the Livestock log accordingly

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Originally Posted by josh_crosson

now that sounds like a real problem, but i have a question regaurding the splitting of non-problem anemones, how do i know when one is going to split, or how can i make it split what does it look like cause i had a bubble tip once and it had gotten a hole right through it and i called up a place and said it had a hole right through it and he said it was probably gonna split then two days later it died....ever smelled a dead anemone, god i gagged! lol how do i know?

I'm not sure about the splitting part but I have dealt with anemones that have spilled their guts and your right get a nose clip cause it will make you gag.

[zhenya]

Hi James,

Glad to hear that all went well for you and the clam. Good job!

Originally Posted by WHOSYOURDADDY

Your right about the baby part zhenya but in my case it spit at me If your not used to it and not expecting it - it makes you jump like me.

well, the clam just did what it must do to be able to close up, purge all water that is inside of it. It usually comes out as a squirt and makes me jump every time( only becouse it almost always manages to hit me in the eye or the face)