How often do you feed baby clams?

[davelin315]

Just bought a squamosa and a maxima (less than 1") and was wondering how often you need to feed them before the zooxanthellae kick in and start keeping them doing well. Only got them yesterday, and tried to place them and they jumped right off where I placed them and mounted to where they landed (so much for aquascaping my tank) despite the fact that I placed the maxima into a rock crevice and the squamosa in a pile of large grain aragonite in a crevice. Anyway, I began feeding them today by spraying them with DT's, any other suggestions on a feeding regimen and possibly other foods to give them?

 

[jim norris]

Clams that size I would feed every two to three days min. And maybe more until they are over 3 inches. Good luck.
Jim

 

[MiNdErAsR]

I've slowly ramped up my feedings of DT's until I achieved double the initial recommended dosage. A recent study by Dr. Rob Toonan Ph.D. indicates that this is optimal for maintaining rotifer cultures, and I believe the DT's instruction label now indicates this as well. In my case this equates to 1 fluid ounce per day, which I dose either late at night or early morning.

Also, I recently posed a question to Eric Borneman on ramping up feedings and his response was it's more natural for there to be a steady influx of food rather than a slug of food followed by a period without. This is why I dose 1 oz. per day rather than 2oz. every two days. Of course I'm feeding the entire tank and not spot feeding. Not sure if my clams would appreciate a squirt of DT's concentrate. I'll let them draw food from the water column like the other creatures do.

IMO, IME

 

[Hammer]

With clams that small, I would get them to attach to something that is easily moved. And a couple times a week (at least once a week), take the clams out, and put them in a small container all together, and put in a large amount of DT's and or phytoplex. Let them sit in the container until the water has cleared.

Also, with clams this small, you could think about dripping phytoplex into the tank for a small and consistant supply of food.

I haven't fed my two 1 1/2" max directly except for a few times. I feed my tank twice a day, and I have DT's in the food. Along with a lot of other goodies. And a 6" DSB and a very alive refugium provide a good amount of planktonic life.
The little maxs have now grown over 1/4" in 2 1/2 months. Maybe even more.

But I would take a much more active role with babies THAT small.

 

[OJsreef]

Jim help! I'm getting six 1"ers 2/14/02.

Jim help! I'm getting six 1"ers 2/14/02.

Does anyone have a good recommondation for -1" Maxi clam placement in the water colomn/lighting? Sorry about posting this question but it might have some bearing on this topic.
Thanks:Oliver

 

[jim norris]

Oliver,
Hello. Send some pictures. Lighting sould be med. Feeding is the most important factor with clams that size.
Jim

 

[OJsreef]

Thanks Jim.
I'll have pics soon as Geofloors comes over with his dijicam. One more Question, is there anything wrong with feeding everyday. I went out and bought one of those Lee's 2-way multi-purpose breeder boxes with the V-partition for $5.00(clams fit the V nicely with some cruched coral). All six clams fit with room to spare and i can float it to feed the clams if needed. The box is flow through so I cut some thin plastic to slide over the slots so the DTs does'nt get blown out.
Thanks:OJsreef

 

[toptank]

I also feed by babies clams but it is still important to feed them when they are larger as they can not live on their symbiotic algae alone.

As stated above you still need to feed your tank so that they still receive food but if you are feeding your fish then the floating particles are filtered through there gills.

Barry

 

[davelin315]

An update on the 2 babies:

Unfortunately, I lost the maxima. It was knocked out of its home by either a hermit or a snail (probably could have been knocked out of there by a spaghetti worm given its size) and by the time I found it, it had been upside down for a while and someone probably got at its byssal organ and it's dead. The squamosa is doing well, though. I can't tell if it's growing or not (it's only been a week and on top of that, the shell is as white as can be so it all looks like new growth) but its mantle looks like it's opening more than in the store, and it's coloration is darkening a bit. I am target feeding DT's every day or 2 and also dosing the tank with DT's. I think my blastomussa really appreciates the extra attention due to the baby squamosa, as it is swelling to much larger than normal.

 

[OJsreef]

Hi all.
Just thought I would keep this thread going to keep BABY CLAM FEEDING info on one informative thread.
I've been feeding my baby maxes for about a week or so now. My ? is after feeding the babies DTs for a half an hour they seem to regurgitate it in the form of a little green string. Is this natural? Are they just getting rid of exta unusable food or what?
Thanks:OJsreef

 

[davelin315]

I don't think I've ever seen a clam "poop" for lack of a better term. I know they must, but I've just never watched for it. I don't really target feed my remaining baby clam, I just add DTs to the tank every other day or so. And, since I have a large fish load, I figure its competing with the bacteria for its fair share of ammonium.

 

[OJsreef]

He Said POOP hu! huhu! hu!.
The best thing about having a sweet reef tank is being able to sit back , relax and injoy its spender for hours as a time (Nothing like the excitment of Watching Coral Grow :crazy1: ). Keep an eye out you'll see um.
Thanks:OJsreef