Clam size how big do they get

[JC1]

I now gigas is the biggest then derasa, squamosa, hippopus, crocea, maxima but how big do these ones get. I will have one of each right now I have 3 croceas 1 derasa and 1 gigas just want to now how big some of these get

 

[mbbuna]

Gigas - up to 48"

Derasa
Hippopus - 30"-35"

Squamosa - 14"-18"

Maxima - 12"

Crocea - 6"

 

[critterkeeper]

Record gigas in the scientific literature is about 54"

Record derasa in the literature is about 24"

Record hippopus in the literature is about 21"

Record squamosa in the literature is about 16"

Record maxima in the literature is about 16"

Record crocea in the literature is about 6", although I've seen reference in hobbyist literature to 2 that were more like 7.5" - not sure I believe it though.

These are record sizes though, so 1/2 to 2/3 of these sizes would be about all you should expect.

But you never know...

 

[JC1]

how long does it take for them to get full size

 

[jay24k]

I have a crocea that is 6" currently and a squamosa that is about 12". The rest are smaller then stated but still growing.

 

[critterkeeper]

Just curious - have you ever used a ruler or a set of calipers to measure your crocea? If it's really six inches then you've got a tie for the world record reported in the scientific literature, and bigger than any crocea I've ever seen personally.

If you don't mind - how long have you had it, how big was it, what lights do you have?

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Exactly how are they measured? From tip to tip of the mantel or the shell?

reason I asked is I bought some from a RC member. When I got them, they were all smaller than stated as measured by the shell. No big deal as they were nice and are now ding great. Just wondered what the standard of measuring them is.

 

[jay24k]

I've always measured along the edge. I just measure the length of the shell. If I took a rigid ruler and put it long wise and did a dimension straight across, I guess it could be small. This clam I have had for 2 years. Before that, the person who was breaking their tank down had it for about 2 to 3 years. I do not know how big it was when he bought it. It has however not grown at all that I can tell since I've got it. I always thought it to be wierd as I didn't know their max length. Now my squamosa has grown a ton and my deresa constantly shows growth.

It's possible it isn't 6" but it appears to be. It could be 5 depending on how it's supposed to be measured.

 

[jay24k]

Here is a picture of mine.

If you can share exactly how a clam is supposed to be measured, I can measure it. That efflo you could use as a reference. I believe that is around a 2" frag approximately.

 

[NewSchool04]

If Croceas are only supposed to get 6", I think we all have record sized clams. I'm sure mine are as big as jay24K's and I never thought they was really that big. I guess it depends how you measure it. That's what I always tell my wife . . .

 

[delta410]

over 4 feet, you're kidding me?

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6977205#post6977205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by delta410
over 4 feet, you're kidding me?

Here you go-

 

[SunnyX]

Here too-

 

[55Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6977575#post6977575 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Here too-

Cool Pic!

 

[critterkeeper]

They are usually measured according to shell length, on the inner surface (straight across), or with a set of calipers on the outside.

As far as croceas go, I've been diving extensively in Indonesia and Japan and have seen hundreds of them - and not one has been 6 inches. I'd say the biggest I've come across was maybe 5, if that big. Of course, if you're looking at the mantle if would appear to be much larger.

Like I posted above, the world's record is about 6 inches, and that's the record, meaning it's the equivalent of a very tall NBA player if you know what I mean. Not common...