I want polyps (or similar) to grow on Crocea shell

[mattsilvester]

Hi all,

So my crocea clam as bonded to the custom made cradle. Very please.

Next, I have put the clam in the spot that I like and I have loosely build up some LR around it (it is not wedged in or jammed tight).

I have seen some photos where clams buried in the a colony of star polyps. I really like the look. I was thinking to grow some polyps on the surrounding rocks and allow them to grow onto the clam shell. So it looks like have fully burrowed into the rock.

Is there any fear the polyps would take over and harm the clam, becoming invasive, damaging the mantle and growing into the clam shell?

I would be open to suggestions as to the type of polyps, or anything else.

Many thanks.

 

[marc price]

Consider digging out a nook for your T. crocea in a live "Christmas Tree Worm" Porities Coral.
Doing so has as worked very well for me.

 

[mattsilvester]

Marc,

I love the idea, but this clam is quite big. 4-5" or so. So I'd need a very big porities coral!

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Stevenliu9]

I think that's a neat idea as long as whatever is encrusting doesn't turn out to be too "stinging" for the mantle. mild soft corals like star polyps are fine, but I would imagine some potent softies including certain species of zoa might irritate the mantle. Would love to see the results once you have them established on top of one another!

 

[Coralreefer1]

I have zoanthids and plays that are growing around my Maxima with no problems. I also have electric green star polyps in proximity as well. The bad thing is that the star polyps will grow and encrust your zoanthids as with my zoos thus I need to prune the star polyp when they get too close to my zoanthids. You want to make sure that your clam is able to open and shut its shell and have beneficial light not be impeded by neighboring corals shadowing your clam.