How do you target feed a clam

[kevensquint]

I just found out that the big hole is the mouth. So if I got a smaller clam and wanted to target feed it phyto, do I just stick a syringe in its mouth and push in the phyto.?

 

[mbbuna]

no u don't want to do that. you need to remove the clam with a bowl of tank water and just add enough phyto to tint the water green and then let it set for 15,20 min. or just add some to the tank

 

[kevensquint]

OK, but would'nt you want to avoid removing/moving the clam once its been in a the same spot for a while? I've heard that they attach themselves to the rock or bottom and if you damage the foot by moving them they will die.

 

[bencozzy]

most people use a small live rock piece or shell for the clam to attach to, to make for easy moving

 

[ViPeR_930]

Definitely do not target feed a clam like you first explained. The phyto will clog and the clam will die.

Do the bowl feedings like mbbuna described for clams less than 3 inches.

 

[Barry N.]

Do the bowl feedings like mbbuna described for clams less than 3 inches.

ditto.

 

[wiley0717]

Is target feeding a must? I've tried two different Phyto's and after either I get a nasty Algae outbreak if I add to the tank. Bowl feeding is out as the Crocea attatched himself to the temp spot I put him to acclimate to my lighting and the rock is too large for that method.

 

[mbbuna]

no target feeding

 

[weefishman]

I used the top half of a 2 liter soda bottle with a piece of 3/4 inch pvc glued in the end. The pvc should be long enough to extend out of the water when the bottle is placed over the clam. You can then pour the DT's or whatever phyto you're using down the pvc pipe. This method is not as efficient as bowl feeding as the bottle does not completely enclose the water around the clam and some phyto escapes the enclosure. But it does allow you to get some concentration of phyto around those clams you can't remove. I usually did this a couple times a week for around 15 minutes for each of my clams.

Oh yeah, never use a syringe to spot feed directly into the clam. Let it take in the phyto at it's own pace.

-Jonny

 

[grimmjohn]

Bowl feeding is out as the Crocea attatched himself to the temp spot

You found a crocea small enough to feed?? I can't remember ever seing one that small for sale.

The above method is good if you don't/can't take him out...for more precarious placements I've seen the ziplock bags with the zipper employed..put the bag over'em, zip it up as much as you can..have a corner cut out with the tube connected to that..drop the phyto into the tube...blow it down to the bag..bubbles come back up through the tube...

cheers,

grimmjohn