Can a clam be too big for aquarium?

[RoTTen2TheCore]

Hello,
I have a friend who is tearing down his 120 gallon aquarium and he is planning on giving me his 10 inch (I think it's a maxima) clam. I have a 50 gallon mixed reef.
I have ample space at the bottom to place the clam, but my concern is in a smaller water volume it will suck up too many nutrients (I hear they are magnesium sponges).
Will putting such a large clam in my tank throw my parameters out of wack?

Thanks!

 

[username in use]

As long as you maintain all the water parameters and it has adequate light and flow it should be fine. It will eat a lot of calcium.

 

[MondoBongo]

they are a calcium and alkalinity sponge, to a lesser extent magnesium.

you would be surprised how much they can gobble up when they're happy and growing.

i would be inclined to say no, they can't be too big for an aquarium with the following stipulations:

1. the clam has enough room to fully open and extend its mantle.
2. the clam is getting adequate flow. they don't need a ton, but you wouldn't want them in stagnant water either. conversely it should also not be getting too much flow.
3. it is not coming in to conflict with other corals, rocks, filter structures, etc...
4. water chemistry matches its requirements, and is appropriately supplemented.

keep in mind that different clams have different preferences for where they like to be. T. derasa is a sand bed dweller, and does not do well on rocks. conversely T. crocea is a rock dweller and does not do well on the sand, and the other Tridacnas have somewhat differing requirements as well.

~10" is a huge clam. i think that would make a pretty stunning centerpiece in a smaller tank. make sure you update with some pictures when you get it.

 

[ca1ore]

10" is the upper end for a Maxima, so I'd guess its a Deresa or Squamosa. A picture would help. If it is either of those two, it still has lots of growing to do. As others have said, large clams do consume a lot of hardness and calcium, so be prepared for that. Only clam that can outgrow even large tanks is a Gigas, and I'd doubt it's one of those.

 

[RoTTen2TheCore]

Thanks for the replies!
I will be going over today so I'll take a picture.
I helped him save the clam as it was in another tank where the nitrate and phosphate levels were through the roof! The coloring has gotten better since, but I'm sure it will get even nicer in my tank;-)

 

[e048]

just make sure you light acclimate it right and drip that sucker

 

[RoTTen2TheCore]

There she is

 

[e048]

looks like a squamosa

 

[Breadman03]

looks like a squamosa

Agreed.

 

[RoTTen2TheCore]

Cool thanks!

 

[e048]

He has another 5-10 inches to grow

My squamosas is sitting right at the 16in mark I would watch the glass and how close it is to it. If it starts getting too big trade him at the lfs for a smaller one and some store credit I did that with a maxima when I had my 40g

 

[ca1ore]

Definitely a squamosa. I've had them get to about 20" but no larger. Deresa will get to about 24" and Gigas 4'.

 

[RoTTen2TheCore]

If you notice, the clams mantle is slightly against the glass on this pic. I have repeatedly moved the clam away from the glass, but it keeps scooting back to that spot. What is so bad about touching the glass?

 

[laga77]

If you notice, the clams mantle is slightly against the glass on this pic. I have repeatedly moved the clam away from the glass, but it keeps scooting back to that spot. What is so bad about touching the glass?

All three of my clams have placed themselves against the glass. The only downside I have found is not being able to clean the glass. You do not want to be moving them just to clean.

 

[sbreefer]

i had an 18" Gigas in my reef until a bad crash. Had contemplated trying to find a home for him... big clams are cool. just maintain metals. (Ca,Mg, K) and alk

 

[ca1ore]

Gigas haven't been cultivated and imported for about 8 years, so any that survive in folks tanks are all pushing 2 feet by now.