Can you help me pick a first clam?

[amheck]

Hi gang,

I have a 20g high tank with a Tek T5 (4x24W) hood. I have been reading on which clams are good for a beginner. People recommend the derasa, but I think they are kind of hard to find in the striking colors. Then I also saw the squamosa was recommended, but it seems the blue ones $400+ and hard to find small?

I'd like a small, 2" baby clam that looks nice and won't outgrow the tank too quickly. The maxima and crocea's seem to be better left for the MH lighting?

ALso, I was hoping to go to clamsdirect.com to get some pics and pricing, but it seems they're shut down for a few weeks. What are some other good places that you'd buy a clam from?

Aaron

 

[Don Berry]

Unfortunately the lower light clams don't tend to have the striking colors like the Maxima's or Crocea's. I think your lighting is better suited for a Squamosa or Deresa. I personally like my Deresa.

 

[mbbuna]

Here's a Derasa, and 2 Squamosa's

 

[Don Berry]

Very nice

 

[mbbuna]

Very nice

Thanks! Brown clams need love too

 

[grimmjohn]

Here's a Derasa, and 2 Squamosa's

Is that a cabbage next to them?

 

[Don Berry]

Oh yeah, If you decide to get a Deresa or Squamosa go on the smaller side. As you can see from the clams above they grow big and much faster than Maximas or Croceas.

 

[amheck]

THanks. Maybe a clam isn't that good of an idea in a 20g tank like mine.

 

[mbbuna]

Is that a cabbage next to them?

Grimm it some kind of leather i really never tried to figure out what it is. Barb and her "got to have" stuff

 

[grimmjohn]

Grimm it some kind of leather i really never tried to figure out what it is. Barb and her "got to have" stuff

Haha, I feel ya, my g/f picked out one of our clams and now apparently it's "hers" and it's in a race with "mine," and it's bluer than "mine," and it has to be closer to the light than "mine" () : )

Anyway, just thought that leather looked cool...I do have a passing interest in all those "other things" that I won't keep in with my acros () : )

Cheers,

grimmjohn

 

[Stephany]

grimm john... lol I have a Porites+Xmas Tree Worms in my tank that's not mine... but is my roommate's. SAME deal..! Closest to the light... best flow... That's funny.
You guys, I guess I have the same question... but I won't be buying one for at least 6 months.. I'm setting up my 30g w/15g ref in the next week.. (it's been running, but has had no lights)
I have a 10 gallon nano established for a year that I'm going to be transferring live rock, sand, etc.. from but anyway..
Lighting: Two 24" VHO 75 watts each over the 30 gallon. One lamp is 14k, the other is white actinic.
So, could you recommend a clam for the tank? I don't want a three footer in there, so that eliminates maxima...right? I guess as with everyone I like the electric colored ones, green... but I also appreciate the gold nicely patterned mantles.. mbbuna, those are beautimous.
Thank you in advance,

 

[Omar H]

I would not put a clam in such a small tank, when they grow they deplete calcium and nutrients very fast, so there would be a point when your tank will become very hard to keep parameters within range. I'm sure there have been people that has done it, but it's just what I would (or not) do.

Also, when you're ready to purchase your clam, do look at Clams Direct, they have excelllent service and very nice stock.

HTH

Omar

 

[ILikeFish]

How big do squamosa get

 

[stevedola]

BIG

 

[Ti]

Big enough to eat.
LOL

 

[mbbuna]

How big do squamosa get

in the wild they have been reported to get up to about 28"

 

[Stephany]

I hope with a calcium drip I could keep one... but that's not until a while from now. More research to do. Thanks though.