Do clams lose their coloring........

[Nek]

as they get bigger????

I always see some spectacular colored clams, usually 1-3 inches. Do these colors stay this way??? Does anyone have any pics of larger, similiarly colored clams????

 

[a.p.17]

my clams just seem to get brighter and more colorfull. i have several that are 5 and 6 inches and these clams are my most prized. the colors depend onthe lighting and the angle that the clam is viewed.

 

[a.p.17]

i wil try to post a pic. soon

 

[lebowski]

Clams can lose their color.. IF they are put under weak lighting, they can lose coloration due to loss of zooxanthellae... If you have ever seen some disgusting crocea clams at the LFS that are all brown you'll know what I'm talking about... They are all under low light and turn a nasty brown cause they lose lots of their zooxanthellae.....

On the other hand, if a clam is under strong lighting such as metal halide and proper conditions... The clam will just flourish.... My teardrop has given nice coloration right now.. It wasn't as colorful when I got it and is now simply gorgeous....

 

[sammystingray]

Actually, the brown color IS the zooxanthellae.....zooxanthellae is brown for the most part......they allow much more, not less, in their tissue in lower light to try to keep balance. In lighting that is too weak, the zooxanthellae the clam, or coral for that matter, has will not produce enough for the clam, so the clam will allow more and turn the brown color of the zooxanthellae. If the lighting is too weak for the zooxanthellae itself, it will die and that's when coral will bleach and such, but when they turn dark brown, it is an attempt to allow much more zooxanthellae in hoping balance will be found since the zooxanthellae isn't photosynthesizing enough to feed the coral/clam. Pigmentation of the animal can also change as different color absorb and reflect more or less light.

 

[Nek]

Ive seen some spectacularly colored tiny clams, but never a larger one, say 5 or 6"'s. This is what made me ask the question.

 

[lebowski]

Actually, the brown color IS the zooxanthellae.....zooxanthellae is brown for the most part......they allow much more, not less, in their tissue in lower light to try to keep balance. In lighting that is too weak, the zooxanthellae the clam, or coral for that matter, has will not produce enough for the clam, so the clam will allow more and turn the brown color of the zooxanthellae. If the lighting is too weak for the zooxanthellae itself, it will die and that's when coral will bleach and such, but when they turn dark brown, it is an attempt to allow much more zooxanthellae in hoping balance will be found since the zooxanthellae isn't photosynthesizing enough to feed the coral/clam. Pigmentation of the animal can also change as different color absorb and reflect more or less light.

I learned something new! Thanks for clearing that one up sammy.

 

[lebowski]

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Ive seen some spectacularly colored tiny clams, but never a larger one, say 5 or 6"'s. This is what made me ask the question.

 

[Nek]

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How long has that been captive?????

 

[lebowski]

about 8-10 weeks... In mine and Anthony's Tank....

God knows how long in the wholesalers...Either way... I was ...stating....... a...point....or..... shutup you!!!!

 

[sammystingray]

That teardrop clam is outrageously beautiful BTW.....I have actually NEVER even seen one in real life...just pics.

 

[firechild]

Actually, the brown color IS the zooxanthellae.....zooxanthellae is brown for the most part......they allow much more, not less, in their tissue in lower light to try to keep balance. In lighting that is too weak, the zooxanthellae the clam, or coral for that matter, has will not produce enough for the clam, so the clam will allow more and turn the brown color of the zooxanthellae. If the lighting is too weak for the zooxanthellae itself, it will die and that's when coral will bleach and such, but when they turn dark brown, it is an attempt to allow much more zooxanthellae in hoping balance will be found since the zooxanthellae isn't photosynthesizing enough to feed the coral/clam. Pigmentation of the animal can also change as different color absorb and reflect more or less light.

Do you have any documentation of this? In corals, some species will reduce their populations of zoox under low light while others will increase theirs. It was my understanding that clams reduce theirs.
As for pigments, they will stop or slow the production of secondary pigments in order to transfer their energy to other areas and to reduce the amount of light that is re-emitted ("reflected") and therefore wasted.

 

[Westpat]

Zoo buildup

Zoo buildup

I want to say that Knop talks about how crocea produce more zoo taking on a browner tint in times of low light, and then expel it through the siphon when conditions improve. The zooxanthellae is the clams main producer of sugar through photosynthesis.

Anyway the reason I dropped by was that my two croceas have taken on a deep blue/purple tinge since I got them. They are under halides, but they are 175's. They still fluoresce very well, just not as vibrant, though still very pretty. They came from a place that was running a 250w 20K over the tank. So I guess the step down in lighting maybe caused them to be not so brilliant.

David

 

[Westpat]

2 other things

2 other things

Lebowski-AMAZING! The only thing is that you have reached the pinnacle of clams at such an early age. I guess you can just grow it out and continue to flaunt it for the next 25 years.
Where did you say you lived? I would love to come by and steal....I mean see.... your teardrop.
Keep rockin' on you are the future of the hobby young jedi!


Hey Nek, I thought the really interesting part of that report was when the fourth researcher cited his reasons as

 

[SurferStevo]

I have seen larger clams in captivity & the coloration is just a good.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Re: Do clams lose their coloring........

I always see some spectacular colored clams, usually 1-3 inches. Do these colors stay this way??? Does anyone have any pics of larger, similiarly colored clams????

Here's a pic of my newly aquired 6" long 'grade A' Blue Max. {'Ultras' are even brighter.} I'm expecting it to color up even brighter now that it is under a 250w Iwasaki. I've seen absolutely HUGE Maximas with blazing colors. Whether or not a clam is colorful when mature is going to depend on it's environmental conditions, the viewing angle and, {most importantly}, the clam itself.

 

[lebowski]

That teardrop clam is outrageously beautiful BTW.....I have actually NEVER even seen one in real life...just pics.

Thanks Sammy, it's doing great and I finally have something to brag about!!!

Wetpat, thanks as well.... I wouldn't of had baught it but It was soo beautiful... It's like it just took over my mind... Seriously....