How common is the clam disease?

[derek]

I have been following the various threads about the clam disease reefers are reporting. I was wondering how wide spread it is? If I buy clams from one of the mail order places should I expect to experience this problem?

Are there vendors that people have had better luck with?

Thank you in advance.

Derek

 

[cromax]

I don't think anyone can tell you just how widespread losses of clams are, because for everyone that posts about a loss there are many more who have lost clams who don't post.

Incidentally, it is safe to say that those who have gorgeous pictures of many clams in a tank have recently acquired their clams, and their system has not been sustaining clams for years.
I am still waiting for someone to prove me wrong. And, specimens of gigas, derasa, and squamosa do not count. These have been proven to be sustainable in aquaria for years with no problems.

If you are concerned about disease, I would resist the temptation to overstock a tank with clams. You can keep large numbers of clams in a system but they require special care. Get one or two clams for a moderate sized reef, and try to buy them locally if possible. Or better still, buy them from someone who is knowledgable about clams.

It is up to you to talk to whoever it is you will potentially buy clams from and match what they say with what is written in the literature. Barry at clamsdirect seems to do a lot of business with reefers here, but his clams are expensive IMO. You could also try Dr. Mac Corals. He seems to be knowledgable as well, and I would trust the observations of a licensed DVM any day.

Just some food for clam thought.

 

[Marlinnut]

I have kept several clams in my 100g reef tank and lost only one to unknown causes; within 3 days it went from looking good to shrinking and gaping to dead, whereas the other clams in the tank are still looking good and growing. Please note that I have only kept T. derasa and squamosa's, as these guys can be placed anywhere in the tank and even if purchased small they adapt and grow. My experience is that the Tridacnids are pretty resistant to diseases and that stressful tank conditions are the main culprit in the demise of most captive clams; it is that certain species have a higher stress tolerance then others. I have purchased most of my clams from various locations in my area, but wherever you purchase yours from make sure that you can examine it before putting your money down.