Crocea questions

[bluesy]

Hi

I allways wanted a clam, especialy the Crocea (daaaam it looks good) and now the local store has them for half prize, around denmark that means about 50$ (i know expensive but beutilful)

But before i buy one i want to make sure that i can take care of it and know how to, so if anyone have a good link where i can read about them, then pls let me know.

My tank parameters are:

45 gallon
150W 10000K HQI
arctnic
15X flow with a few low flow areas
nitrit and nitrat 0
kh 10
Ca 435

i got sugar size sand as a substrate.

From what i understand then the clam wants to sit on a piece of rock and that rock can be in the sand if wanted.

It shouldnt be to close to corals that can sting.

can they remove sand that gets on them theirself or do they need help if that happens? how should a clam open up, should it be as much as it is capable of, or is it only supposed to show the mantle and then open more when eating?

But i understand they live on a mixture of phytoplankton, light and nitrit, so is it bad if i hardly have any of it? i allso understand that you can get a substitue for phytoplankto, but what is that called?

When collecting it, i understand that i should make sure that it closes when i put my hand over it covering for the light, allso that it doesnt have any damage.

I have searched a bit about all of this, but of course there are lots of questions, and i dont want to buy a clam without knowing how to take care of it.

Dennis

 

[SeanT]

Your lighting seems good.
Start it off to the side on the substrate to allow it to acclimeate, then move it center after a few days.
Do you have phytoplankton?
They are filter feeders and need regular doses of phyto to eat and survive.

 

[bluesy]

i dont have the plankton myself, but i will be able to get hold of it a few times a week from a friend a mile away, dont have so much space so he maked his culture bigger so i could get some if needed how often should i feed that?

Dennis

 

[Typhon]

I have 2 Crocea, myself. The lights you have should be fine. How deep is your 45g?? Crocea are alittle more diffult to keep that some of the other species of clams. I would recommend trying a Deresa or Saq. first. But if you have your heart set on the Crocea, then like Sean said, keep them on the subtrate first and them move them depending on lighting needs. Feeding is a good idea for increased growth. Clams under 3" should be feed. Clams over 3" can go without. Plankton is a good source. You can easy culture Plankton with alittle time and patiences. Just place a search for "plankton" on this site. Good luck..

 

[Typhon]

They are able to remove substrate that has landed on them by producting burst of streaming water by closing up. They only open enough to expose their entire mantle..

 

[bluesy]

its 19" high

It will be the Crocora, first its one of the few i can get hold of, plus its on sale on saturday hehe, but i allways looked at crocoa because i think it looks best and odnt get to big.

Dennis

 

[Typhon]

Because you only have 150 HQI, i recommend moving the clam alittle higher that substrate after it has been there awhile. I know that 175w MH are good for 18" or less tanks. I don't know the ratings for a 150 HQI, but I am guessing they are similar. Good luck. Just make sure the speicmen that you are purchase is ing in good health.

 

[hreef]

Hi Dennis, I just had to comment on that you live in Danmark. I lived in Arhus...the other side...Jutland and or the (Filand..misspelled) side..or is that the Copenhagen side?. Anyway....welcome ! I have 6 Corceas under 250wt 10K Ushios. All are doing great. Some are on the substrate with a flat piece of live rock underneath, which the clam has attached itself. Just like the others have commented..make sure the clam is healthy and let it acclimate.
Good Luck
Holly

 

[bluesy]

Hreef: Jutland (Jylland) is on the oposit side of Copenhagen hehe.

I bought a small 3" Crocea, very beutiful (unless i compre with some of the pictures in here) its brown, green and blue snd really folds out beutilfully, even better than at the LFS :-D

Dennis