Clam Questions.....Derasa and Crocea

[TonyHNYC]

Hi everyone,
I've been keeping both clams for almost 8 months now. My Corecea is growing quite well (with 1 cm of new growth). However, my Derasa is not growing at all....Any clues? My water parameters are all Zero (phosphates, nitrates, nitrites, Ammonia). Calcium and alk should in acceptable ranges....Although I have not check, but my crocea is growing, so I assume it should be fine...Any one had any other experience like this?

Thanks

Tony

 

[MiNdErAsR]

Somtimes you'll see periods of inactivity followed by a growth spurt. Are you feeding phytoplankton? With clams under 4", feeding is very important. Might help to feed the tank more often (foods other than phytoplankton) to get your nitrates in the 0-10 mg/L range as well.

 

[TonyHNYC]

Hi !
I do feed them.....It is a cryopaste that Dr. Ron suggested it... Well, it is very lively with its expanded mantle...It is just that both of my Derasas are not growing at all while my crocea is growing with new shell additions.......

 

[RhondaJ]

what about calcium

what about calcium

You didn't mention calcium levels. Atleast I didn't notice if you did. Also Dr Ron told me that if the clam is under 4 inchs they should be feed DT Live Phytoplanton along with the cryopaste. He told me the DTs were actually more important than than the cryopaste. I do use both and I have 5 clams. They are all growing well and 3 of them are under 4 inchs. I also keep my calcium at atleast 450.

 

[RhondaJ]

sorry

sorry

I reread your post and do see you mentioned calcium. Anyway I would recommend that you check it. Maybe the growth of the other has brought it down more than you realize.

 

[TonyHNYC]

Hi!
They are all fed Cryopaste from Brineshrimpdirect as recommended by Dr. Ron. Last night, when I check for Calcium, it was 405 ppm. So I guess the cal should be good. It grew a little a while back, but stopped growing....However, the crocea is still growing continuously....

Thanks for your reply

 

[GOOD (G)REEF]

Your calcium is low. You need to bring it up to atleast 450, leaning more towards the 500 range. I suspect you will begin to see accelerated growth in your crocea as well as you derassas after you accomplish this.

 

[Finsky]

I have been using Seachem Reef Salt doing 15 - 18 gallon water changes weekly on my 125 gallon mixed reef tank.

The calcium seems to hover around 480 to 490 without any dosing other than water changes. Is this level acceptable?

My alkalinity is fine was well as my magnesium.

I have two brain corals, two montiopora capricornous, one green birdsnest coral, one montiopora encrusting, one goniopora, two 6 to 8 inch red rose bubble tips which used to be one 12 inch for 22 months until it split into two with a pair of continuously breeding Tomato clowns laying eggs on the rock next to them, one 14 inch green bubble tip, on six inch bubble tip, two groves of palythoa polyps one 12 inch coverage and the other six inch coverage, two maxima clams and two crocea clams doing fantastic opening with their mantels in the current, various mushrooms including red, green, blue, and maroon.

 

[moliken]

sorry, do not feed. dangerous and unnecessary to do so. but that is not the cause of lack of growth on the derasa, which should be growing much fastr than the crocea. my derasas generally have tripled in size after 2 years. croceas less than an inch. if you have other creatures in the tank that you do feed, AND good light, no feeding of clams . link to the acknowledged clam guru:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/7/inverts

 

[Finsky]

I feed my tank three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with Kent Marine Phytoplex, Chromoplex, Zooplex, and Microvert. I also dose three freeze dried fish foods with Selcon, Vita-Chem, and Kent Marine-C.

The Selcon dosage for intertebrates is 1 ml per 100 gallons and I dose Kent Marine C daily.

My clams are happy with their water quality, feeding, and lighting as they open up fully during the day and nobody picks on them.

These things keep my clams looking and behaving healthy with their opening up fully and their color looking excellent.

 

[eddiesylas]

Are the derasa getting enough light? Have you inspected them for a common ailment (bassil area etc.)? It sounds like there is time to solve this. And I am going to politely disagree with the 500 Ca (420 is fine).

 

[moliken]

any ca above 400 is fine; 500 would be too high. eddie is right