clam attaching

natex

New member
I just got a new derasa clam. Its about 4 inches long and looking great. The only thing is that it moves a lot. I did a little research and the LFS was no help. So far this forum is the best thing I have found for clam information. So, how do I get it to stay put? I read a little bit about oyster shells? Hows that work? What, exactly should I feed my clam? I read one article that said calms do not feed at all and another that said they absolutely need to be fed to survive.:confused: Help me reef central clam gurus!!!!!!:

Tank= 55 gal, DSB, 440 VHO, LPS, some SPS, softies. The tank is fed Kents phytoplex and selcon regularly. What size food does a clam eat? Do they uptake DOC?
 
Blah! Double post there....

Anyways, if it is moving around then that obviously means something, don't you think?;)

It's either getting too much or too little flow, and is trying to situate somewhere else..

or

The clam isn't getting enough, or possibly too much light and trying to move.

or

The clam is just in a grumpy mood:D

Try finding different places along the tank for it... I just place them somewhere on the sand and put a flat rock underneatht the clam where you can notice a little hole in the side... That is where they use their foots to attach to a surface... Try this method, or I've tried the shell method... Be sure of finding a large enough one to place it on...

A clam of that size does NOT require feeding to survive.... Clams of lesser than 3 inches rely only on plankton, and little of light.... You are fine where you are at.... I strongly beleive that clams should be fed no matter what size... Try picking up a bottle of DT's Live Marine Phytoplankton... I'd feed about a quarter capful every day or other day in that tank with all those things in there... I'd suggest turning off the skimmer for a half hour when feeding this..

Good luck my young clam padawan, and may the force be with you!:strooper:
 
mussel shells

mussel shells

I went to the beach today to get in a little body-boarding, some killer sets but thats neither here no there... I walked over to the tide pools and grabbed some mussel shells. I figure they should work just as good as oyster shells. Any advice?
 
Seems fine if the clam can be placed in there snuggly...

You can go to your local Jewel, or Dominick's, or wheverever you have a seafood supply... Buy some large whole clams.... Use the shell.:) ;)
 
lebowski said:
The clam isn't getting enough, or possibly too much light and trying to move.

Is it even possible to have to much light in a tank? my 2 clams are under 1x 250w MH and 2x 96w PC, and theyre, well, happy as a clam (sorry, that was bad....). My blue maxima has attached to a big rock, but my gold maxima hasnt, hes kinda close to the blue, you think he isnt getting enough food? We feed the tank DTs, so maybe there isnt enough getting to him. Ive never seen the shell method, ill give it a shot i guess, although id rather have him attached to a rock so it looks more natural...
 
Clams on the sand will often move despite being in perfectly suitable conditions. This is often due to refraction and reflection of light from the glass. They will move around to gain the most light possible and more often than not will end up in a position you don't like such as pressed against the glass.

Originally posted by lebowski
I strongly beleive that clams should be fed no matter what size...
I believe that clams of all size require food but I disagree that they must be fed. The free living algae and plankton in an aquarium should be sufficient for a clam to feed on and thrive.
 
My clam isnt on the sand firechild:( . Hes on a ledge about 7inches deep. If you look on the site on my sig, im pretty sure it has a couple shots of the clams. The blue came on the rock Dr. Mac sold me, the gold i got at work (and for $15).
 
Re: mussel shells

Re: mussel shells

natex said:
I went to the beach today to get in a little body-boarding, some killer sets but thats neither here no there... I walked over to the tide pools and grabbed some mussel shells. I figure they should work just as good as oyster shells. Any advice?

According to Knop, "Giant Clams" page 105 "Many parasites deposit their eggs on the inner surface of dead mussel shells."

I would pass, but if you don't maybe consider boiling them.
 
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