Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Hi Bob,
I recently purchased a clam from one of our local stores here in the Philippines and after about 3 weeks I noticed that inside its mantle there were a shrimp and a crab. They were almost transparent and most of the time they hide in the inner parts of the mantle (and therefore couldn't be seen when purchased). I am including some photos. Is this normal? I mean, for clams to have shrimps or crabs inside them? I have another clam (different species) but haven't seen any hitchhikers inside it yet.
Thank you in advance! You really are a great help to us hobbyists!
Dennis Jugueta
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for your email and no this is not a 'normal' thing, as I've never seen anything living in clams that I've had! But these hitchhikers will seek protection where possible, and possibly they were simply awaiting a better location in the wild. And thanks for the very good photos, as the shrimp is Periclimenes tosaensis, which is visible on my website. Not a problem for the clam, and as to the crab, not sure of its species, but doubt its bothering the clam as the clam itself looks quite healthy.
Bob
