Derasa Question

[thepudge]

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new here and I have a question about a Derasa clam I just bought.. I have 130 watt PC lighting on a 30 gallon tank... Right now I have the little guy placed on a piece of live rock about 1/2 way up the tank..

Will he be OK up there? Or is he better off in the sandbed?

I really shouldn't have gotten him.. he was at petco underneath two large pieces of live rock so he couldn't open. I figure he's got a better chance with me than he did there... He's open now and closes when shadows pass by, so maybe he's OK..

Thanks for your help -- I'd like to give him a decent shot at survival...

Alex

 

[Kyle_RR]

if you dont feel that he is not doing good you should really sell or trade him to another reefer

he seems by the description you gave, hes doing fine
are you feeding him???

 

[thepudge]

He seems like he is doing OK for the time being. I fed him some DT last night and his little siphon poked out, so I guess that's a good sign. This morning he looked very healthy, he was a little more open than before (not gaping) and his siphon was out.

How will I know if the derasa is not getting enough light? Are there any tell-tale signs I should look for? I plan on feeding DT every three days or so.. Is that enough?

Thanks. I know I have a lot of questions - any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[hwynboy]

If your clam seems too open or closed more than usual they are bad signs. If you posted a picture we would be able to help Im sure. Otherwise it's generally too hard to tell until it's too late.

 

[thepudge]

OK sounds good, let me see if I can get a picture up.

 

[bassplayer]

also the size of the clam would help as most smaller clams, under 3", require more feeding than light.

 

[thepudge]

The derasa is almost exactly 3 inches..

 

[Froggy]

You may be ok with it. Derasa clams require much less lighting than others. Also, Derasa clams prefer to be on their natural habitat - the sand. Your clam will also enjoy occasional target feeding of phytoplankton upstream with a turkey baster.