Do clams have to be fed?

[Fast Eddie H]

I think the subject line is self explanatory.

 

[seapug]

This is a subject with many opinions, but the current research says once most of the species commonly found in the hobby are past the 1/4" size they don't need "food" apart from that which is generated by their zooxanthelea, especially in tanks with fish. Hence, the importance of strong lighting.

 

[rholguin]

I read that many baby clams especially maximas under 3" need supplemental feedings in order to survive. Once they get bigger then they feed off light.

 

[Fast Eddie H]

What do you feed them?

 

[a4twenty]

if you have a few fish that you feed regularly supplemental feeding is not required.

calms need N or A and P but and they can take it directly from the water. ( produced by the fish / decaying food ) in a system with very low nutrients you would need to add some N & P to the water. by adding phytoplankton to the tank water the clam can get the N&P required through filter feeding.

HTH



PS: this is regardless of size as their mantle remains relative in size to the clam from a very small size.

 

[seapug]

The most recent, up to date and comprehensive book, "Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium" dispels many of the old myths about needing to feed clams. If you are interested in clams, get the book. It's a great read.

 

[reefkoi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11249808#post11249808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by a4twenty




PS: this is regardless of size as their mantle remains relative in size to the clam from a very small size.

So true I don't understand the reasoning behind "feeding them till they reach x amount of inches.
The mantle is always the same proportion like you say.

Back in the day before we had Phyto available to the hobby nobody fed clams...............alas if a product is available sometimes it's easy to think it is needed.

C

 

[seapug]

the book I mentioned above goes into great detail about the feeding topic. The old idea that clams under 3" need to be fed comes from a misinterpretation of data from a study done over 10 years ago. Once clams aquire their algal symbionts at about thumbnail size they do not need feeding. In fact, the new interpretation of the data proposes that smaller clams need even less supplemental nutrition than larger clams.