removing clam from rock

Hello all clam geeks, my name is Stephen and I was reffered to this site by Moliken.
I have a pyramid snail infestation and am currently working on setting up a QT for the clams. My problem is one of my croceas is attached to a large rock that I can not remove from the tank. I am in need of some help on how to safely remove the clam from the rock so I can place it in QT for better inspection/cleaning. Any help would be apreciated. I am currently winning the battle with the snails on my 5 other clams as I am able to pull them out of the tank for cleaning, but the one crocea I have not been able to clean yet.

Hey Stephen, Welcome to the Geek!!!

You can take a sharp knife and cut the byssal threads as far away from the clam as possible. Just tilt the clam to the side and slip the knife under and gently cut them. The threads are like our hair and fingernails so the clam won't feel it. Though if you pull them out you can risk an infection and death. Good luck and if you have any other questions on ridding the pests please shoot away!

Care to post some pic's of your clams and show them off?

Welcome to Reef Geeks!!!! We would love pics of your tank if you can do it. There's a wealth of knowledge here to be had, so enjoy!!

Skins is right about the clam and cutting it. Just leave as much of the threads as possible. At least you got your to attach!

So if I tilt clam and cut as close to rock with scapel I should be fine? Do I need to gently pull up aswell or just tilt? I had no problems getting my clams to attach, I just placed them where I wanted and placed 2 small rocks on both sides of clam to prevent from falling over and within a few days they attached. My sqamosa is my favorite, it acctually has personality, if you sit by the tank for a few mins it will rock itself towards the glass to be viewed better. Here are a few pics of my clams sorry for poor quality, but I never claim to be a photographer.

here is a pic of the crocea that needs to be removed. It was a rescue from the little LFS near me, it was in a nano under PC lighting for a few months. I traded a few zoa frags for it and have brought it back to life. I wish the camera could capture the true colors. I have 1 more maxima that I got the day before I notices the snail problem so I know this one wasn't the one that brought them in. I just haven't goten a pic of it yet.

Yes tilt it away and cut as close to the rock as possible the biscus thread is just like hairs.

The clam is gonna fight ya , just be easy

good luck Dr. and WELCOME to REEF GEEKS!

Nice looking clams, it looks like you have quite the tank there too. You should start a serperate tank thread and show it off and tell us about your setup?

glad to see u made it here. clammie people here really know their stuff. your guys are very pretty. good luck on the snails. hope you read the sticky for full info on their removal.
just my 2 cents, but i found it easier to wait until a few hrs after lights out or a few before lights on to do the cutting. seems to me, just me, that they are slower to really tighten up on their threads.

Thanks Mol, my clams are my favorite. I soon plan on setting up a clam only shallow tank. I fell like I am winning the battle so far. Last night only found 2 snails on all the clams but the one crocea I still havent removed yet. I do have another question, when I get the QT tank set up I plan to put the clam in tupperware containers. What should I use in the containers to set the clams on? Sand, crushed coral, reef rubble?

I would use sand, and when you clean the clams of snails, dump the sand in the trash and get new in the containers. The snails hide in the sand as well.

Shallow clam tank? Do I sense a build thread?

I was thinking sand would work best also, would keep the clams from attaching to something again. I was also planning on dumping sand out every time aswell. As for a build thread I am a little off from getting it set up. I currently am going to start on building my 300gal whenever I can find the right contractor to do the addition onto the house (fish room included). I plan to add the shallow clam tank into the system. My current equipment for this is bubble king SM250 with red dragon pump, MRC CR6 calcium reactor, aquarium solutions kalk reactor, AC3/DC8's, 120 watt aqua uv, 3x250watt SE halides, 3x VHO's, 2x 100gal brute tubs (sumps), barracuda return pump, 4xtunze 6105 with 7095 controller, tunze osmolator. Build thread to come Spring 2011.

that's a big ole tank. What size is it?

funny, you don't look old enough to drive the SS.
amazing tank.
plus 1 on skinz recommendations.

Originally Posted by rgrking

that's a big ole tank. What size is it?

Marineland 300gal dd (72"x36"x27") with starphire front glass

Originally Posted by shmoliken

funny, you don't look old enough to drive the SS.

I have the Gary Coleman (RIP) syndrone.
thats my 7 year old son, he is my minime as he looks just like me only smaller.

Schaweeeet tank and sweeet ride... You should show it off as well

Thanks for the compliments on the car, it is my baby.
1970 chevelle SS 454 convertible
454 LS6 (turbo jet 450hp)
muncie M-22 4spd
373 limited slip rear
functioning cowl induction hood
special order Autumn gold paint
power convertible top
power windows
power door locks
power trunk release
am/fm 8 track (still working and rocking AC/DC)
tilt wheel/custom sport sterring wheel
rare fiber optic light monitering system
rare fiber optic windshield washer monitor

it's a beauty. is it restored or original? There's no replacement for displacement!

Sweet, I love AC/DC. Got the tattoo to prove it.