Clam constantly falling off my rockwork

[dennis_said]

I'm trying to fit my clam into my rock work, and it always falls off (I'm guessing before it's able to grab ahold and because it's wedging itself off when it opens and closes)...
.
I was wondering the clam dropping a foot or so will kill the clam if it happens too many times?

Thanks

 

[SharonFay]

I've been told if the clam jumps, he doesn't like it where he is.

 

[hawgman_98]

I certainly am no expert at this, but, I will say that my first experience with a clam, it "jumped" all over the place.
Once I found a spot that accomodated the needs of the animal, this behavour stopped.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

What species of clam is jumping around on you and how big is it?

 

[dennis_said]

My clam is a maxima, no larger than 2 inches...

What accomodations should I be looking for for this clam?

I know it's probably not photosynthetic yet at this stage, I've got 250W XM bulb over my 25g... hmm... and I've got great flow up there too...

Any thoughts?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Dennis- the person in this thread is having similar problems with his crocea.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=250429
Small maximas still need light as well as phytoplankton.
"Fence" the clam in with rubble or PVC on a spot that will receive lighting. If all else fails, you can place the clam on the sandbed, but since maximas {and croceas} aren't naturally found on the sand, I personally prefer not to place them in an aquarium down there.

 

[dennis_said]

Thanks Gary,

So somehow wedge the clam in between an area where it can't jump? Or block it off from moving?

 

[lebowski]

Yep,

Dennis, I used a PVC pipe to hold in the clam.. Get a 2.5 inch PVC pipe, cut a piece about 2 inches long, and places some rocks and rubble in there, situate the clam in that pipe and it will prevent it from getting anywhere.. I have used this method on may of my clams.. Here is a pic of a PVC pipe I cut...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Nice pic lebowski. I prefer to use PVC that is large enough in diameter {and short enough in height} to allow the Tridacna's byssal opening to come in contact with the rock it will eventually be attaching to. After the clam attaches, the ring is removed. {Cut the ring lengthwise in advance for easy removal.}

 

[dennis_said]

Ah thank you guys, I will try this