First Ultra Crocea Clam... any advice?

[JeffersonReef]

Hello all. I just got my first Crocea clam. Any little-known advice that you can offer would be appreciated. One thing that crossed my mind is that I have 2 black brittle stars. They are pretty docile... never attacked any of their tank mates (as far as I know)... I also have lots of red hermits. Do you think either of the above would damage the clam? Also, I have a Hamilton lighting fixture: 2 x 250w MH and 2 96w PC... I planned to keep the clam at the bottom of the tank in the substrate. My tank is something like 24" tall.... maybe 28".. cant remember. Also, the LFS said that I should drip acclimate.

Thanks in advance for ur comments/ advice.

-TJ

 

[ezcompany]

croceas prefer to bore into rocks.
hermits and bristles shouldn't be a problem.
make sure your Ca and Alk are stable, and the clam is directly under the halides at the bottom of ur tank. higher placement would be preferable.

 

[JeffersonReef]

Bore into rocks... good tip. I have a nice dried-coral skeleton-plate thingy that would be prefect. Thanks!

 

[ezcompany]

 

[sharkdude]

thoroughly inspect the clam shell near the mantle and byssal opening for pyramid snails (look like small rice grains) and their egg masses (look like small globs of clear goo). If you see any suspects, thoroughly scrub with a tootbrush in a bucket of tank water.
better to get them now, than latter, when they suck the juices out of your clam and reproduce to plaugue proportions. a sixline wrasse helps too if it comes to that.

it its already attached to something, be carefull not to tear the byssal threads and gland. This can create an opening for infection and eventual bristle worm attack (they can smell the infection and will feed). An otherwise healthy calm will not be prone to bristle worms.

keep an eye out for 'gaping' (staying open with no response to shadows over top) and/or extended periods of closure. An otherwise healthy clam can go down hill fast.

 

[golfish]

try to find a cup shaped rock that the clam will fit into..They do much better on rock then substrate.

 

[sharkdude]

here is a discussion of care with pics of snails
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/Clam_care/Clam_care.htm

 

[818]

Also if the clam is smaller than 3 inches you will have to feed it as well. Small clams need more than just light. How big is yours?

 

[JeffersonReef]

It is at least 4". Got a great deal at Jeffs in Torrance: $29! I mounted him on a nice cupped piece of dead coral (thanks golfish). Its not attached yet, will wait and see how it goes. Thanks all!

-TJ

 

[JeffersonReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8264177#post8264177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sharkdude
here is a discussion of care with pics of snails
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/Clam_care/Clam_care.htm

Sharkdude, thanks for the link. I placed the clam higher in my tank... but per that info I should place the rock with the clam lower in the tank at first, and gradually move it higher. Also, I left the halides on during the acclimation process rather than letting it get used to my lighting cycle. Wish I had read that FIRST! Oh well, Im sure it will be ok. I am moving the dead coral and clam lower in the tank. Thanks everyone!

-TJ