Reef Aquarium Forum

Posted: **Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:09 pm**

I will start a new thread on this topic so it will be fresh.

As most of you know that ClamsDirect has been working on this problem of Pinched Mantle for some time and continue to do so.

Over the past several weeks we have collected from various places/hobbyist and from LFS some specimens that appear to have this problem and have sent 10 Tridacnids to
Aquatic Animal Health Lab in Maine which has agreed to help us with some lab work.

Over the past several years we have kept some good records from people like yourselves in hopes in finding a common denominator which we have not found. One thing that I still lean toward is that this protozoan, if that is what it is, is present but acts like ich on a fish, when stressed will become present.

Hopefully in the months to come we will have more information and will be passing it on. If I do not respond to this thread in a timely fashion, it is that I am just buried in work and will respond when I have time.

Posted: **Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:09 am**

Below is part of a letter that I received today regarding the on going research that I have started approx 18 months ago. ClamsDirect has paid a few labs in the past for additional help but can not continue this on my own. The lab now that we are working with has agreed to donate their time but the hard expenses must be paid. If anyone wishes to donate to help us continue this work, you can pay pal to barry@clamsdirect.com and indicate, Donation of Pinched Mantle Research . We of course will keep good records of payment and money spent. Our goal is to raise 2500.00. Anyone who wishes there name be posted as contributing, we will be glad to do that. Also any company that contributes will have their business name and amount posted as well.

Thanks for your continued support.

Barry
ClamsDirect.com

At this point in time, I'm checking in with you to see how much further, cost wise, you'd like us to pursue this infection/disease. Again, I wish we didn't have to charge anything as this is a truly interesting case but we do need to cover our own costs as well. DNA testing for an exact ID will likely cost between $100.00 to $200.00 depending on the number of 'primer sets' that have to be used before identification. I can assure you that we will work to keep things as frugal as good science allows.

The bigger question is if you would like us to work on therapy options for this parasitic infection. It's possible that we could look for a small soft money grant to do this but know that it then becomes the public's domain. Just quickly roughing the costs out, I believe the overall project would cost around $2500.00 based on maintenance of animals, materials used, therapy trials, and confirmation diagnostics. We would be willing to contribute our time at no cost. Are there any other ornamentalist dealers, such as yourself, that might like to join in with this project?

Posted: **Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:37 pm**

Extremely worthwhile cause and I urge everyone to participate and support the man that provided us with clams for years.

I used to moderate on this forum but discontinued due to "life other things"
obligations and my own forum. However, I feel very strongly about supporting my friend in this and urge everyone to give your support as well.

I've lost my share of clams to this terrible desease... and hopefully we won't have to anymore.

Posted: **Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:40 pm**

Gene, my OLD friend.

SO glad that you stopped by and THANKS so very much for your generous donation!

Posted: **Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:32 am**

Donation Page.
http://www.clamsdirect.com/forum/viewto ... 3281#13281

Posted: **Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:21 pm**

i see all over post's titled " my clam has pm " ok so how come only 4 people donated so far. come on people its only 5 dollars to put to this research.

Posted: **Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:29 pm**

ok so how come only 4 people donated so far.

So far since I started this thread, there has been over 710 views. :roll:

Posted: **Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:39 pm**

Hey Barry, I donated what I could. It's not much but it will help.

Good luck, hope you can make some headway on Pinched Mantle!

Posted: **Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:13 pm**

Like you said, every little bit helps!!

For you that belong to a reef club, please ask them to donate to this cause and we will also post there clubs name in the donor link.

Thanks

Posted: **Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:28 am**

Hi Barry,

Its been a while since I've bounced around this site, but a friend pointed out this research topic and donation request. I'm sending you a PM for more information.

Jeremy

Posted: **Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:03 am**

We have now added a link on our online store under Categories, click on that link and it will direct you to a secured page so that you can donate any amount you like. Credit Cards or Pay Pal.

http://www.clamsdirect.com/store/

Thanks for your support.

Posted: **Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:53 am**

We are sending more clams tomorrow to the lab for more control studies.

The donations have stopped almost as quick as they started.

I see on SO MANY thread, people talk about this disease and try all sorts of things but some just are not willing to donate to a worthy cause to help the reef community in something so important. :oops:

Posted: **Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:21 pm**

"Just curious why, if they're soliciting donations rather than seeking out a grant, it would be a problem to make results public? Are would-be contributors donating towards a profitable remedy to be sold by clamsdirect?"

asked on the socal thread.

-ezcompany (somehow i can't log in on this laptop)

Posted: **Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:50 pm**

Are would-be contributors donating towards a profitable remedy to be sold by clamsdirect?"

Not sure that question even deserves a answer or maybe I am just taking in out of context.

Posted: **Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:02 pm**

ill reply on socal thread

Reef Aquarium Forum

Pinched Mantle - New

Pinched Mantle - New

question from RC