Clams

Type of clam: Tridacna crocea also known as the boring clam due to it boring deep in the rock work. The crocea clam is the smallest of the giant clams and has most vivid coloration.

Aquarium requirements: Must be placed up on the live rock, towards the lights. Crocea clams require moderate to higher flow. Must be kept away from faster growing corals that may shade it, not allowing it to receive light.

Lighting: photosynthetic. Requires strong lighting, T-5s, Metal Halide, with 10k bulbs will be sufficient. If t5s are used, place higher up depending on depth of tank and number of bulbs used.

Water Quality: All giant clams require excellent water quality. Calcium must be kept at 400ppm- 450ppm. Ph must remain stable between 8-8.4. Temperature must be between 25C- 27C and kept stable.

Feeding: Clams are filter feeders and will feed out of the water colum. Clams will benefit from live plankton but intentional feeding is not necessary.

Special Care: must be carefully acclimatized. Crocea clams will also benefit from the presence of nitrate in the aquarium.

Growth: Look for clams greater than 2 inches. Crocea clams can grow to 20cm (7.4 in.).

Tank size: Can be kept in any size tank if parameters remain stable, light is sufficient and plenty of room is available for the clam to grow.

 

Type of clam: Tridacna maxima

Aquarium requirements: Middle to high up in your rockwork depending on color intensity of mantle. Maxima have widely spaced scutes (flutes) on its shell which it will use to stay wedged in the rock work. They require moderate to higher flow. Must be kept away from any potential shading corals.

Lighting: Photosynthetic. Requires strong lighting, T-5s, Metal Halide, with 10k bulbs will be sufficient. If t5s are used, place higher up depending on depth of tank and number of bulbs used.

Water Quality: all giant clams require excellent water quality. Calcium must be kept at 400ppm- 450ppm. Ph must remain stable between 8-8.4. Temperature must be between 25C- 27C and kept stable.

Feeding:Clams are filter feeders and will feed out of the water Colum. Clams will benefit from live plankton but intentional feeding is not necessary.

Special Care: Relatively difficult to keep, hardest to keep of all the clams. Will benefit from the presence of nitrate in the aquarium.

Growth:Lookfor clams greater than 2 inches. Maxima clams grow to 35cm (13.7in.)

Tank size: Can be kept in any size tank if parameters remain stable, light is sufficient and plenty of room is available for clam to grow.

 

Type of clam: Tridacna squamosa. These have large, widely spaced flutes on its shell, hence the name squamosa which means scales.

Aquarium requirements: Requires moderate flow. Can be placed in most parts of the tank. Keep away from potential shading corals. Do not place directly on the sand, the clam will blow away the sand and attach to the bottom glass pane, which will be hard to remove if necessary. Place on small piece of rock for ease of movement if needed

Lighting: Photosynthetic. Requires strong lighting, T-5s, Metal Halide, with 10k bulbs will be sufficient. If t5s are used, place higher up depending on depth of tank and number of bulbs used.

Water Quality: all giant clams require excellent water quality. Calcium must be kept at 400ppm- 450ppm. Ph must remain stable between 8-8.4. Temperature must be between 25C- 27C and kept stable.

Feeding: Clams are filter feeders and will feed out of the water Colum. Clams will benefit from live plankton but intentional feeding is not necessary.

Special Care: must be acclimatized carefully. One of the easiest of the giant clams to keep and is a favorite amongst aquarists. Benefits from the presence of nitrate.

Growth: Leave room around the clam for lots of growth, squamosa clams grow to 40cm (15,6in.). Look for clams greater than 2 inches.

Tank size: Can be kept in any size tank if parameters remain stable, light is sufficient and plenty of room is available for clam to grow.

 

Type of clam: Tridacna gigas. The largest of the giant clams.

Aquarium requirements: Requires moderate flow. The gigas clams are commonly found on the sand bed but can be kept on the rocks. Keep away from potential shading corals. Do not place directly on the sand, the clam will blow away the sand and attach to the bottom glass pane, which will be hard to remove if necessary. Place on a small piece of rock for ease of movement if needed.

Lighting: Photosynthetic. Requires strong lighting, T-5s, Metal Halide, with 10k bulbs will be sufficient. If t5s are used, place higher up depending on depth of tank and number of bulbs used.

Water Quality: all giant clams require excellent water quality. Calcium must be kept at 400ppm- 450ppm. Ph must remain stable between 8-8.4. Temperature must be between 25C- 27C and kept stable.

Feeding: Clams are filter feeders and will feed out of the water Colum. Clams will benefit from live plankton but intentional feeding is not necessary.

Special Care: must be acclimatized carefully. The gigas clam is fairly easy to keep if all parameters remain in check.

Growth: Look for clams greater than 2 inches. Leave LOTS of room around the clam for lots of growth!! This clam grows to 137cm (53 in.) it grows very quickly.

Tank size: must be kept in a large display with plenty of room for growth.

 

Type of clam: Tridacna derasa, also known as the smooth clam.

Aquarium requirements: Tridacna derasa has adapted to living on non-rocky substrates. Aquarists may choose to keep T. derasa on small pieces of rock to prevent the clams from disturbing the sand when they slam shut. Derasa clams require moderate flow. Place on the bottom of the tank.

Lighting: Photosynthetic. Requires strong lighting, T-5s, Metal Halide, with 10k bulbs will be sufficient. If t5s are used, place higher up depending on depth of tank and number of bulbs used.

Water Quality: all giant clams require excellent water quality. Calcium must be kept at 400ppm- 450ppm. Ph must remain stable between 8-8.4. Temperature must be between 25C- 27C and kept stable.

Feeding: Clams are filter feeders and will feed out of the water Colum. Clams will benefit from live plankton but intentional feeding is not necessary.

Special Care: must be acclimatized carefully. This clam is generally regarded as one of the hardiest clams to keep.

Growth: Look for clams greater than 2 inches. The derasa clam will grow to 50cm (19.5 in.)

Tank size: Must be kept in a large display with plenty of room for growth.

 

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