Like some of you folks, I had a gigas clam years ago. It grew from about 6" to 24"+ in about 6 years until I lost it during a tank crash. Several years ago, the importation of them has halted because no one was farm raising them again. I've seen rumors that Biota has started aquaculturing them again so I emailed Liveaquaria to find out more info, and it looks tentatively hopeful that we might actually see them for sale in the US again. Here is their response - make sure you read all the way down and let them know you're interested in Liveaquaria bringing them into the US for sale:
-----------
Thank you for your email. Yes it does look like Biota is culturing Tridacna gigas. Per there website this is what they have to say. "Traditionally giant clams have been a secure source of food for the Pacific Islands, however in more recent times a new demand was born in the ornamental market for these beautiful animals. These CITES listed species from the Tridacnae family include several varieties, with cultured T. maxima, T. squamosa, and T. derasa already available at Biota this year. For next year we expect to harvest our first batch of T. crocea and T. gigas, the ever-elusive True Giant Clam. Our interest in the Tridacnae family is not limited to their culture as a product for export, but it extends towards conservation efforts in Palau and throughout the Pacific."
As for us carrying the specimen in the future we suggest submitting a suggestion to our Diver's Den for the specimen at the link provided below.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/suggestions.cfm
Thank you for choosing LiveAquaria for your live aquatic needs. You are a valued customer and we look forward to hearing from you in the future.
If we can be of any additional assistance, please feel free to contact our LiveAquaria Department at 1-800-334-3699 or via email at customerservice@liveaquaria.com. We will be happy to answer any question(s) you may have.
You will also find over 1500 articles full of helpful information on our PetCoach website! Your question(s) may already be answered there.
https://www.petcoach.co/
Sincerely,
LiveAquaria
Shari H.
-----------
Thank you for your email. Yes it does look like Biota is culturing Tridacna gigas. Per there website this is what they have to say. "Traditionally giant clams have been a secure source of food for the Pacific Islands, however in more recent times a new demand was born in the ornamental market for these beautiful animals. These CITES listed species from the Tridacnae family include several varieties, with cultured T. maxima, T. squamosa, and T. derasa already available at Biota this year. For next year we expect to harvest our first batch of T. crocea and T. gigas, the ever-elusive True Giant Clam. Our interest in the Tridacnae family is not limited to their culture as a product for export, but it extends towards conservation efforts in Palau and throughout the Pacific."
As for us carrying the specimen in the future we suggest submitting a suggestion to our Diver's Den for the specimen at the link provided below.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/suggestions.cfm
Thank you for choosing LiveAquaria for your live aquatic needs. You are a valued customer and we look forward to hearing from you in the future.
If we can be of any additional assistance, please feel free to contact our LiveAquaria Department at 1-800-334-3699 or via email at customerservice@liveaquaria.com. We will be happy to answer any question(s) you may have.
You will also find over 1500 articles full of helpful information on our PetCoach website! Your question(s) may already be answered there.
https://www.petcoach.co/
Sincerely,
LiveAquaria
Shari H.