Buying my first Clam but...

[3S1K]

It has this big hole on top near the end and I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be like that or not.My LFS said its his exit hole if you know what I mean hehe.It looke exactly like this picture.My LFS said it was a Crocea.Also how do I tell the difference between a Crocea and a Maxima?

 

[SeanT]

The hole is normal.
The easiest (though not completely surefire way) to tell the difference is by the shell.
Crocea shells seem more smooth whereas Maxima's ridges are more pronounced.
Crocea's are boring clams.

Sean

 

[3S1K]

When you say boring do you mean like they're plain looking?I've read a few threads and people say there clams jump around alot.My LFS has a Teardrop Maxima but it looks dead,you can see almost into the whole shell.It didn't look complete like the one pictured.

 

[SeanT]

By boring I meant that they will bore down into your rock over time...like a drill.

 

[mbbuna]

the clam in the pic is a Crocea. they are called boring clams because they secrete an acid that dissolves the calcium carbonate rock they are found on and they sink (bore) in to it.

 

[grimmjohn]

Re: Buying my first Clam but...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6288347#post6288347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 3S1K
It has this big hole on top near the end...My LFS said its his exit hole

Hmmm... :rollface:
() : )

 

[knumbnutz]

HA! Yeah thinking the same, grimmjohn. LFS is an endless source of "knowledge."

 

[3S1K]

Well I decided I was going to buy it since it was about 4-5" and they wanted $43 for it.When I get there they moved it over slightly in the tank and relisted it at $70,I said forget it.I might start purchasing livestock online from now on.

 

[gussy]

Will something bad happen to the clam if it can't bore into the rock as the rocks are pretty small?

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6353762#post6353762 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gussy
Will something bad happen to the clam if it can't bore into the rock as the rocks are pretty small?

no it will be fine