[ryddo]

Quick question for anyone the knows anything about clams. I purchased a beautiful Maxima clam and I have had it in the tank for about 4 months and all is going great!!! Here is the start to my question, this clam always turns over on its side and stays that way. The other day I was cleaning the tank and did the weekly replacement of the clam but this time I noticed pieces of bristle worms under the clam. The clam is showing no problems, as a matter of fact I think the clam is doing really well. Has anyone ever seen bristle worms attacking a clam, or is there any reason for the worms to be around the clam? This really freaked me out, there were about 6 worms around .25 inch in size?

Thanks for any information you all might have.
Ryan

[blue_eyes53813]

Ive heard that bristleworms will show signs of decay or death, They will be the first things to a dead animal... Unless there is something around the clam that they want. Maybe something in the sand bed... I would move the clam and see if they follow it.

[zhenya]

I agree with blue_eyes that bristle worms will show up at the dead or duying animal as a first clean up crew, however, there are many different types of bristle worms found in the tanks. From your description, though, it seems that they are small scavenging type worms and I wouldn;t worry about them too much. Having said that, if you are concerned, try placing some type of flat rock under the clam so it can attach and seal it;s bysus opening.
T.maxima is usually found attached to hard substrates in nature and it would be a good idea to try and place it somewhere on the reef structure itself.

[ryddo]

Thanks for the input. I am going to try putting the clam up on a small piece of lr to see what happens.

Thanks again.

[Ninong]

Ryan,

What do you mean by bristleworms 1/4" in size? Is that the diameter or the length of the worm?

Maxima clams do better on the rock structure where they can attach their foot to a solid base and where they can receive stronger light. Both Maximas and Croceas should be placed on the rock structure closer to the lights for best results.

It is perfectly natural for bristleworms to seek shelter under anything on the sandbed, including clams that are placed on the sandbed. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are causing any problems for the clam. I always found bristleworms under my fungia corals whenever I moved them. I had to move them from time to time because they would get too close to something else and I didn't want them hurting each other.

Bristleworms will attack a dying clam but not a healthy clam. That's a general statement. With more than 8,000 species of "bristleworms," there will always be exceptions. Fortunately for us, the exceptions are rare in the aquarium hobby.

[ryddo]

Well I placed the clam on some rock in the same location that it was in the sand. Within 5 minutes the clam was over on his side again? Is this normal, or should they be in a more upright position?

[chris&barb]

they should be upright. try placing the small rock about 1/2" under the sand and place the clam on top of the rock, then put a few small chunks of rubble on the sides of the clam to help hold it up untill it attaches to the rock.

[ryddo]

That was what I needed. I placed the rock about 1/2 inch under the sand and placed the clam ontop with sand packed around it and when I got home from work the clam was still standing up!!!!!

THANKS!

[Big Red]

Try a sea shell . I had a similar problem and put the clam on a sea shell. It eventually attached to the shell and stays upright all the time. If I want to move it I move the shell.

The worm did kill my brother n laws clam from the bottom up so I think it is worthwhile watching.