Clam Growth Rates???

[Koralkid]

I want to get a blue maxima clam i have a few questions.

1)i live in australia and firstly was wondering how much a clam costs in america? lets say one that is around 2-3inches long.

2)the growth rates of a clam providing all water conditions are right, i use a 250WM/H w/a Radium 14Kbulb.How much can i expect a clam to grow per year?

3)are they fussy as far as temperature swings go and water quality/chemistry?

Any help/advise would be much appreciated guys, thankyou

 

[mbbuna]

1- Maximas are few and far between here in the US now. for a really nice, out of the ordinary one you will pay $150+ if you can find one.

2- for a Maxima you might expect about 1/4" to 1/2" per year.

3- clams are very sensitive to both temp and chemistry changes

heres a few links for you

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/Clam_care/Clam_care.htm

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/jf/feature/index.php

http://www.reefcorner.com/introtoclams.htm

 

[RayD]

Thanks for the links. Some interesting reading there. Here's an interesting tid bit ...

>>> All tridacnid clams require at least moderate lighting and some require very intense lighting. Ensure that tank has sufficient lighting to support the type of clam you are thinking about buying. If lighting is insufficient, the clam may show very high mantle extension. Although this may look like a happy clam, in fact it can indicate that the clam is trying to extend its mantle for maximum light gathering due to inadequate lighting conditions. Clams in the wild do not show much mantle extension.

Maybe my clams aren't as bad as I think. They don;t over extend by any means. I posted a pic of the Squammy on the thread I started earlier.

Thanks!!

 

[critterkeeper]

"Clams in the wild do not show much mantle extension."

Utter bullsh*t

Depends on the individual, the species, and the local conditions...

 

[mbbuna]

critter. you dont like my reefcorner link:lol:

 

[RayD]

:eek1:

 

[Snausages01]

Depending on the place and the clam you can get pretty nice blues for $50ish.

 

[Koralkid]

Thanks for the input guys, maximas are the common thing in australia, not many people collect clams because they are protected but they are still available from some areas i got mine from the Ningaloo Reef which is the largest fringing reef in the world its located in Western Australia. So far its going ok, it has only been a few days though, if i was doing anything wrong would i know by now?

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7860035#post7860035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Koralkid
So far its going ok, it has only been a few days though, if i was doing anything wrong would i know by now?

if its staying open and has good mantle extention i would say your off to a good start.

can you post a pic of it?

 

[Koralkid]

just to let ya know im still here im just getting picsof it now i will post them soon

 

[Koralkid]

i dont know how to upload images

 

[ezcompany]

photobucket

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7881589#post7881589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Koralkid
i dont know how to upload images

go here http://imageshack.us/

click browse

find your pic

click "host it"

find the code thats says "hot links for fourms", copy it

then come back to your post and past it