Experience with reef, but not with clams

kevensquint

Active member
I was thinking about trying a clam, it is the only animal that really grabs the attention of my boy. But first a couple of stupid questions. The only clams that I can get around here are T.crocea about 4" long, I have 1x250 watt MH 6500k 9" above the center of the tank. How do I acclimatize the clam to that intensity? If I want to target feed it where is the mouth? the big hole, the little hole or the mantle? and what are ideal water params for this clam- thank you for any help.
 
The ideal parameters for clams are basically the same for corals. I would put the clam as high as you can right underneath the MH as corceas love light and are naturally found attached to rocks.

I don't spot feed my corcea(or my gigas and hippo) and they are doing find. I do however just add some phyto to the tank which is cleared up quickly.

HTH,
Bill
 
I have a 6" crocea on my BB and I haven't fed my tank phyto or anything in a month or two...They do like to be on a rock...but with a 250W 6.5K you could most likely put him on a little flat rock and then put him anywhere you want...I haven't noticed acclimation being too much of a factor with clams...if they feel they are getting to much light they just won't open up as far or they "jump" off their rock. If you go for a baby maxima or something you will need to feed it though.

cheers,

grimmjohn

P.S. Big Hole=In, Little Hole=Out, Mantle (the pretty part)=symbiotic photosynthetic zoo bearing tissue (which is why the big ones don't need to be target fed)
 
Also, when you buy one, be sure to wave your hand over the tank and make sure that it responds pretty snappy...and make sure that the pretty tissue is not "pinched"--you'll know it when you see it...and make sure the "In Hole" is not "gaping"---you'll know that when you see it too if there is a healthy one around to compare to, and finally, when you get it out of the tank, check around the bottom of the clam and near the rims of the shell for tiny little cone shelled snails...if you see any of them you should probably find a different store for your immediate clam shoping needs...bout it....good luck..after you get a heathly one in your tank you should be golden (assuming you have kept your other reef creatures alive ;))

cheers,

grimmjohn
 
Good advice-thanks, any other things? also, I see a big hole and a small hole in the mantles center, what are they?
 
Jason, the holes on the mantle are the "mouth" (large hole)and "butt" (small tube) :).

I'm also from Montreal so can I assume you saw those clams at World Fish in Brossard? I have a total of 7 clams in which four 3 inch+ croceas was bought from them throughout this year. All are doing great and surprisingly have grown a new scute (btw I don't use mh ;)

I never taget feed. Just feed the tank.

Good luck
 
Back
Top