Clams!!!

Atilla said:
i want to start this thread with all the info regarding clams...

please voice your opinion about the different species of clams.
how difficult they are to maintain (own experience)
tank conditions
fish that you find not compatible with them
prices compared between the species

:):):)
Click to expand...

IMO Squamosa are the easiest, , grow fast, grow large and generally cheaper. Crocea imo are the hardest possibly because they require more intense light and therefore obviously require cleaner polished water. They are the smallest and come with great mantles. Especially in blues and greens. Maxima are tolerant of both LPS AND SPS conditions. Mantle variations are spectacular. I have found that the only lights suitable for long term success are halides. Shell growth requires stable calcium alkalinity.
 
I have had my Crocea for going on nearly 9 months now and have had no issues with it, except that my Henniochus decided one day that it was food and so the Henni had to go :p
Kept it successfully under T5's at first and now under 150w MH's. Like Leslie I have found that it seems to have been happier on the sand rather than when I placed it on the rockwork even though this is not supposed to be the case.

For really good info try and find a thread by Mekaeel on clams, its got a link to an excellent article in Reefkeeping Magazine on them.
 
Kunhardt said:
I have had my Crocea for going on nearly 9 months now and have had no issues with it, except that my Henniochus decided one day that it was food and so the Henni had to go :p
Kept it successfully under T5's at first and now under 150w MH's. Like Leslie I have found that it seems to have been happier on the sand rather than when I placed it on the rockwork even though this is not supposed to be the case.

For really good info try and find a thread by Mekaeel on clams, its got a link to an excellent article in Reefkeeping Magazine on them.
Click to expand...

cool thanks
 
My tank's very new. At 2 months, I got a Tiger Deresa Clam. I've had epic battles with my clowns wanting to sleep in it. http://www.youtube.com/user/HappyHoney41
I'm getting an Electric Crocea Clam, which should show up next Tuesday. I've got to find a good place to put it, because it says they bury in the substrate and I really don't want it doing that. They are both photosynthetic, but I feed the tank 2-3 times per week with phyto. I've heard the larger the clam is when you buy it, the better luck you'll have with it. If you get small ones, they struggle.
 
Last edited:
Dlaria said:
My tank's very new. At 2 months, I got a Tiger Deresa Clam. I've had epic battles with my clowns wanting to sleep in it. http://www.youtube.com/user/HappyHoney41
I'm getting an Electric Crocea Clam, which should show up next Tuesday. I've got to find a good place to put it, because it says they bury in the substrate and I really don't want it doing that. They are both photosynthetic, but I feed the tank 2-3 times per week with phyto. I've heard the larger the clam is when you buy it, the better luck you'll have with it. If you get small ones, they struggle.
Click to expand...

I have three :) so some tips from experiance:

Make sure you research where they like living i.e.

1. On substrate or on live rock
2. Some like alot of light others are less worried about light.

General tips:

1. Make sure you have good PH 8.0 - 8.5
2. Make sure your temp is stable between 25 degrees Celsius and 27.5 max (can creep to 28 - I had this I still need to get my chiller going.
3. Make sure your other tank mates are NOT nippers (wont eat the mantle)
4. Put them somewhere that they wont get bothered by fish all over them (i.e. clowns ;))
5. They don't like to be moved and sometimes move themselves (very little but they do)
6. If you putting them on LR remember they can bore (if they are the LR type) to secure themselves.
7. They don't like alot of flow.

How do you know if they health:

1. If they open once you put them in your tank
2. The light test - put your hand over the light that is directly feeding them if they respond (close or move) then they generally healthy.
3. Look for gaping mouths (you need to find a pic on the net of what gaping is). Now different species"gape" more than others so know your species and make sure you get a gaping picture to compare

Other things to look for when it arrives:

1. Make sure the mantle is not torn or "munched" anywhere.
2. Inspect the shell for any worms, snails or holes (the snails actually bore into the shell and eat the clam).
3. TIP: when you add him / her to the tank hold him / her up right and GENTLY move from side to side, this will release any air bubbles trapped inside of the clam. Air bubbles can KILL the clam.

Other than that you good to go a EXCELLENT addition to the tank.
 
Hi All,

I have a few questions regarding a clam that I bought. It is a Maxima and I have it in my nano tank. I think the lighting is sufficient (2 x 24w TC tubes white and blue) but just wanted to double check. The position of the clam in the tank allows it to also get sunlight over and above the tanks lighting. Is this sufficient? Should I buy another set of external lights for it?

Also, I found out too late that this clam prefers LR over substrate. I tried to pick it up last night but it was already attached to tank. I am not too worried/phased about its position in the tank as there is a light flow in that area plus the sunlight thing. Should I attempt to move it to a piece of LR or leave it?

I got Marine Snow for it that I am feeding it every three days. Is this sufficient or should I increase feedings?

Otherwise, the clam is healthy, responds well to changes in light and if the shrimp run over it. It opened as soon as I put it in my tank and has a stunning blue and cream mantle. Will post a pic this evening :)
 
tekkengal said:
Hi All,

I have a few questions regarding a clam that I bought. It is a Maxima and I have it in my nano tank. I think the lighting is sufficient (2 x 24w TC tubes white and blue) but just wanted to double check. The position of the clam in the tank allows it to also get sunlight over and above the tanks lighting. Is this sufficient? Should I buy another set of external lights for it?

Also, I found out too late that this clam prefers LR over substrate. I tried to pick it up last night but it was already attached to tank. I am not too worried/phased about its position in the tank as there is a light flow in that area plus the sunlight thing. Should I attempt to move it to a piece of LR or leave it?

I got Marine Snow for it that I am feeding it every three days. Is this sufficient or should I increase feedings?

Otherwise, the clam is healthy, responds well to changes in light and if the shrimp run over it. It opened as soon as I put it in my tank and has a stunning blue and cream mantle. Will post a pic this evening :)
Click to expand...

Ok so nothing like natural light. The clam you have requires excellent lighting though and to be honest I would suggest a MH tube to provide you with the best lighting for the clam.

The fact the clam has connected to the bottom of the tank well, if it's in a place you want then it's not a bad thing you would of want to put a little bot of LR for it to connect to rather, I would strongly urge you not to try move it as you might hurt the foot of the clam. How "stuck" is it if you try move it is it solid or can you get away with gently moving him? It would be best on LR.

The clam doesn't really need feeding and actually enjoys a bit of nitrates in the water. Feeding be careful, don't feed into the "mouth" of the clam create a feeding cloud two inches above the cloud and allow the food to drop over the clam. Never inject any food directly into the clam.

Still wanna see the pic ;) check out my signature for my three clams :)
 
@mytank
Thanks! I'll ask the LFS if they have any MH units for the clam :) Will have to see how I am going to fit it as well.

It is stuck, still moveable but I am not really going to risk it, it also seems content in that spot. Thanks for the tip on how to feed it, I was just putting a capful in the tank but not close enough to the clam so I never knew if it was getting fed :p

Here are a few pics of it (excuse the condition of the tank, the algae just went ballistic after adding the clam and shrimp):
Front of tank view:
IMG_0297.jpg


Side view:
IMG_0302.jpg


Your tank and clams are stunning! *goes back to oogling at pics*
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Nice clam :) beautiful, I would def recommend a MH ESP with the clam right at the bottom of the tank. Where are you in Jozi? Go to @wild on pets and get your self some special blend ;) and in would recommend a water change even if 20% the algae could be because of the new life stock load. How long has your tank been cycling?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
@tekkengal you cant get a MH as it will boil the water of your nano tank :) .. Perhaps look at one of those LED bulbs.. Ask fly about them, he did his nano with them
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tremayn said:
@tekkengal you cant get a MH as it will boil the water of your nano tank :) .. Perhaps look at one of those LED bulbs.. Ask fly about them, he did his nano with them
Click to expand...

Really? Didn't know the size of the tank..... If the tank is a nano, you have a maxima clam and it's attached to the tank. The clam ESP this one grows quite big just be careful ....
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tremayn said:
@tekkengal you cant get a MH as it will boil the water of your nano tank :) .. Perhaps look at one of those LED bulbs.. Ask fly about them, he did his nano with them
Click to expand...

Yep, was looking at getting an external thingamajig but the LEDS sounds like a better option!:thumbup:

QUOTE=mytank;517312]Really? Didn't know the size of the tank..... If the tank is a nano, you have a maxima clam and it's attached to the tank. The clam ESP this one grows quite big just be careful ....[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it was bought with the future tank in mind (which is planned for next year sometime) :blush:
How would I remove it from the tank without hurting it?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
tekkengal said:
Yep, was looking at getting an external thingamajig but the LEDS sounds like a better option!:thumbup:

QUOTE=mytank;517312]Really? Didn't know the size of the tank..... If the tank is a nano, you have a maxima clam and it's attached to the tank. The clam ESP this one grows quite big just be careful ....
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was bought with the future tank in mind (which is planned for next year sometime) :blush:
How would I remove it from the tank without hurting it?[/QUOTE]

I have no idea maybe do a quick search? This is going to be a tough one....
 
Went and checked, it still had some give to it, gently moved it and it came off the substrate. The foot is fine and the clam is now sitting on the lr. Will post some pics in a bit.
 
Excuse dodginess of photos, tried to take it with left hand while right hand was inside tank holding clam because I didn't want to traumatise the clam any more and risk air bubbles entering.
Pic of foot (some arag still attached)
IMG_0303.jpg


Sitting on its new home:
IMG_0306.jpg


Just checked on it now and it looks fine. Just hope that it doesn't topple if it tries to move!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom