i have an electric scallop, its really cool but i have a question? what the hell is the deal with the stringy stuff? he has a tongue but also seems to have a seperate attachment that emmitts a spiderweb like silk that he will attach to the side of the tank and lift himself up about half an inch off of the bottom. i couldn't find any info on this, could you post some links if you know of some?
2007-04-19 07:18:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Come on MagicMan, you seem to know everything! help me out! LOL! :)
2007-04-19 07:27:00 · update #1
Sorry, I'm not MM, but he's not the only person here who can come up with answers!
I think you're seeing what is called a byssal thread - it's what several mollusks use to anchor themselves - mussels, clams, oysters, etc. I'll see if I can find you a good website on this.
ADDITION: Seems like the only decent photos on the web for these are for zebra mussels: http://www.sgnis.org/publicat/slide/ZM-S39.jpg
Flame scallops are actually file clams of the genus Lima. Here's an link: http://shells.tricity.wsu.edu/ArcherdShellCollection/Bivalvia/Limidae.html The ones for aquaria are usually more movers than attachers, but if yours has found a place he likes, it's best to leave him attached to the spot.
ADDITION: Note to Danielle - your link doesn't work and the address is incomplete!
Yes they are a difficult species to keep alive, but you can try target feeding them phytoplankton and invert foods with a turkey baster. This concentrates the food in their area, not letting it dilute throughout the tank like pouring it in from above.
2007-04-19 08:22:48 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I somewhat agree with copperhead here what you are seeing This "string" is the byssal thread
I must warn you however, electric scallops are near impossible to keep for anything that approaches a natural lifespan in captivity... unless you have figured out a way to magically culture bacteria, nanoplankton and other necessary plankters. They slowly starve over a period of weeks to months.
here is a site
www.mass.gov/agr/aquaculture/shellfish_scallops.htm
Also good luck with the scallop
2007-04-19 08:56:27 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Jon,
I'm going to bow to others on this one. Saltwater inverts aren't my area of expertise or professional training. You already have some very high quality info above my post, go with that. Thanks for the vote of confidence though
MM
2007-04-19 09:39:12 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋