Clam question

[blcmounthood]

Hello,

I'm new to saltwater tanks, and I have a question about my clam. It's got some kind of hole between it's uhhh "lips". Is this normal? Thanks.


http://www.aquariumadvice.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=4408&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=517

 

[reefrunner69]

Nice clam!! If you'll look closely at the mantle of the clam, it actually has two holes. The large hole you are refferring to is it's incurrent siphon (it draws water in through this hole) and the smaller is it's excurrent siphon (it spits water out through this hole) which is rased from the center of the mantle. It's perfectly normal, and necessary for the health of the clam. If your going to keep clams, I highly recommend the book Giant Clams by Daniel Knopp.

 

[blcmounthood]

Thanks! They really are fascinating creatures. I will look for that book. Clamu "spit" water on me while I was trying to acclimate it to my tank, scaring me pretty badly (thought I killed it).