Minor Crocea problem - White specks?

[Cheebs]

I've had 2 Crocea clams in my tank for a few weeks now. They seem like they are doing great, they open up fully and have actually visibly grown. I've recently had a small nitrate spike for whatever reason, and it was sitting at about 10 ppm for a few days.

Anyways, I don't know if this is a recent development, or if it's been there all along, but I noticed that there might be small white speckling on the mantle of one of my clams. The other clam has actually darkened in color and shows no signs of this.

Here's a pic. I'm talking about the slight whiteness , especially around the bottom lip of the mantle closest to us. Is this just my clam adapting, or is it a reaction to my nitrates, or lighting, or something else? It doesn't look like the bleaching that some people experience, and doesn't seem to be affecting it in any other way.



Thanks!

[skinz78]

How old is your tank?

What lights are you useing?

It does look like a little bit of bleaching to me. Crocea's like to be up on the rocks, you should slowly start moveing it up.

[Cheebs]

my tank is about 4 months old, I'm using the Teklight 4 lamp 4' T5s. I'll move it up, I think the other one is doing so well because it is close to the light.

[Cheebs]

Well I moved both clams up about 6 inches or so. Does there need to be a rock surface for them to stick their foot to?

[skinz78]

Yes they should be on rock to attach to.

[a4twenty]

Originally posted by Cheebs
I I'm talking about the slight whiteness , especially around the bottom lip of the mantle closest to us.

the white there is because the mantle is folded over because it is in contact with the glass, with no light the clam can't support the zoox. in that area.

you have already moved him up so you're on the right track

you may want to move them up more ( after a little acclimation time ) depending on which bulbs you are running.