[Steve H.]

I bought a 8" derasa at the LFS a few days ago to put in my moms tank, but for the time being it is staying in my tank. Last night the clam spawned for a long time, and it spawned again tonight. This is a new tank and I just got the skimmer running last night as soon as I saw what was happening. And I have 30 gallons of new water mixing right now. I am wondering how long this spawning can go on for, and how concerned should I be about it? Am I over reacting?



TIA

[tendar]

I believe your over reacting and it should be fine with water quality but then I could be wrong. Im sure some one else will chime in though.

[kevinpo]

My big T. derasa spawns every few months. Stress will trigger it to spawn. It really messes with my skimmer. I usually do a water change afterwards. A few times I have not done a water change and other than the skimmer and the water very cloudy for awhile there was no severe reaction from my fish or corals. Mine only spawns once for 15-30 min.

HTH,
Kevin
PS: MIne is a male.

[Barry N.]

Steve,

This has happen to me several times. I just do some water changes. Spawning like Kevin says is normally causes by stress. mostly high temperature.

Clams are epidemic spawners, they release eggs and sperm.

Barry

[Steve H.]

Thanks guys! I figured it was probably a sign of stress. This clam has been moved around a lot in the last week. Someone bought it and then returned it to the LFS because their fish were pestering it. Then it was moved to my tank after that. My temp has been staying around 81.5. I think my skimmer bypassed its break-in period, the inside is already covered with a layer of mud. I will get that water change done today.

Thanks.