clam newbie

[SteveNMegz]

Hey guys

we jsut got our first clam yesterday, it started to open fully(we think fully) within the first couple hours. today still open (do you think it will open more then it already is?) But were wondering wha it means when their mouths are gaping open?

Is it normal for their mouths to be open the large?

Crocea clam (about 4")
Thanks!

 

[skinz78]

What are your water params?
What kind of lighting do you have?


Crocea's tend to gape a little more than other clams do, it shouldn't open much more than that. You should start to slowly move it up on the rocks over the next few days.

 

[SteveNMegz]

nitrates -0
alk- 8
cal- 420
phos-0 (i'm sure theres some in there)


lighting is a aquatinics solar flare, 6x 84W overdriven T5's, tank is 20" deep with 2" sand bed.
The guy we bought it off of had it on his sandbed, he had 250W halides ove his tank (his tank looked like it was 24" deep)

we'd really like to try and keep it on the sand bed if we can unless it runs into problems where it needs to be higher (any suggestions if this is ok or not?)

 

[a4twenty]

sorry i missed this thread but, nice to see you here


he should be ok on the sandbed but maybe place a rock under him as they prefer something solid under them. ( not law but ) this also allows you to easily move the clam up if you need to. as skinz says, the crocea is known to hold their incurrent syphon open more than other clams, especially right after acclimation.

i would love to see some updated pics when you have time.