Is this a crocea clam ?

[mooriginal]

Its very light green from above and blue from sides and has a very fat shell at the base of it...

This is a pic of it after its been in tank for a few hours -
I was intending to keep it on the sand

Anyone have any thoughts

Mo

 

[quicksilverq]

looks like a crocea to me.

 

[skinz78]

the blue one is a crocea and the black one is a maxima. Can you take a top down pic of them?

Here is a good link for clam id.

http://www.reefaquariumforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1994

 

[Cheekymonkey]

Pretty Clam

 

[quicksilverq]

I like the black one

 

[mooriginal]

Thanks guys I shall try and take a top down shot where its more green...
I thnk its croc too as is only has ridges near top of shell...

Will it be fine on the sand ?

 

[TJ_Burton]

dbl post

 

[TJ_Burton]

Crocea clams do best on rock work. They don't take well to sand/sediment getting in their gills. I would suggest moving it up!

P.s. the easiest way to ID your clams would be to look at the byssal opening.

However, the one that appears blue is a crocea, and darker one behind it is a maxima (skinz78 is right)

 

[skinz78]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12966842#post12966842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TJ_Burton
(skinz78 is right)

LOL Was there ever any doubt???


JK

Very nice looking clams, you should add the pic to my pic heavy post.

 

[DNickell]

OK, I've read the clam ID article, a couple of times. I am pretty sure it allowed me to confirm the ID on my clam (and begin to plan for future clams!).

BUT, what the heck are you folks seeing in the picture above that allows you to determine what kind of clam those are? Exactly what are you using as your indicators?

 

[mooriginal]

Thanks guys for comments..

To id I think everyone is looking at the colours and the 'scutes' and shape of the clams in the pictures...

Also my description of the croc - with a fat base was probably an indicator...

Ill move the croc up ....
Question I have related to that ...
If he would prefer rock work - why does he look so happy on the sand ... im just curious im not doubting the advice...

 

[a4twenty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12972852#post12972852 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DNickell
BUT, what the heck are you folks seeing in the picture above that allows you to determine what kind of clam those are? Exactly what are you using as your indicators?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12973264#post12973264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mooriginal
To id I think everyone is looking at the colours and the 'scutes' and shape of the clams in the pictures...

usually those are the easiest ways, for the clams above the mantle shape and pattern are a dead give away.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12966842#post12966842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TJ_Burton
P.s. the easiest way to ID your clams would be to look at the byssal opening.

i find this only needed as a last resort and is usually to invasive. ( for clams that like to attach )

 

[TJ_Burton]

i find this only needed as a last resort and is usually to invasive. ( for clams that like to attach )

It is an easy practice to follow when purchasing clams - that way you know what you are getting (or have gotten). It should, and could easily be the first resort of identification if done before the clam is placed into the aquarium. If a clam is properly introduced into a tank, and burped etc. You will get ample opportunity to see the byssal opening.

I never recommend disturbing clams, but for someone who is not familiar with Tridacnids, it is the easiest way to identify them.

 

[a4twenty]

but i think you should know what clam you're buying before you buy it, so you don't end up with a gigas when you only have a nano.

what i mean is that you don't need to lift every clam at the LFS to identify it. there are many other identifying characteristics that are less invasive and just as definitive. of course there will occasionally be times when a look at the byssal hole will be needed, but not to often.

 

[DNickell]

For me, at least, part of the problem in following this informative discussion (and thank you for the input!) is the terminology. There is an argot here that clam fanciers take for granted, but newbies to clams are still learning.

Unfortunately, when it comes to the IDing of clams in a LFS, the newbies are the ones that are going to be putting clams the most at risk. I purchased one clam AFTER switching to MH lights and being secure that my system was stable. I went to lengths to ask what type of clam it was and was told, as if I were an idiot, that it was a Tridacnid Clam and should "just be sat down on the sand."

My research led me to believe that it was a Crocea (which this thread has helped confirm) so I acclimated it on the sand and then moved it up into the rocks--where it seems to like its conditions much better.

So, from the discussion and the above photos, should I assume that Maximas have a more snaggle toothed mantle and Croceas have a full smile?

If it comes to looking at the byssal hole, what is one look FOR?

 

[a4twenty]

there are so many different criteria, it is hard to sum up in a simple post, check out this article in ReefKeeping mag.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/jf/feature/index.php


many of the Tridacind clams share some but not all of these criteria and in time it becomes second nature to identify them. without lifting the clam, there is shell symmetry, number of fold on the shell, mantle shape, incurrent syphon appendages, colour, scutes spacing ( or lack of ), eye placement, etc......even a byssal opening examination can be confusing as some grow closed as the clam ages and younger undeveloped clams look quite similar.


any LFS that talks to you like you're an idiot should be avoided, i am treated with the same respect i treat my LFS with and i would have it no other way. the answer of a "tridacnid" clam shows they have no clue and again they should be avoided.

if you are unsure of your clam, post a pic in a new thread and we will all gladly help confirm / dispel the identification and you can look back through the dozens of identification threads here and "play along" to learn

HTH, and if not just ask..............

PS if the terminology is not cleared up in the article, again just ask we all like to help

 

[DNickell]

If I avoid this LFS I am basically limited to ordering everything on-line! This was the first time I have ever seen a clam available locally. I am reasonably certain it is a Crocea, if for no other reason that it seems more more content up in the rock than in the sand.

I have pictures in my new camera and if I can figure out how to get them into my computer and then posted here, I'd love to post some pictures and get feed back on it.

It seems to be developing more coloration, is expanding more all the time and is very responsive to anything coming near it or blocking the light. So, I've been assuming it is happy.

In my searches I have found very detailed anatomical diagrams of clams--most too detailed and not providing the basic info I needed, since I want to keep it healthy, not disect it. The only terms I am still not sure about are "scutes" and knowing for sure where the eye is.

 

[TJ_Burton]

Scutes are the ridges, or folds that protrude horizontally off the face of the shell.

Croceas generally show no or little scutes due to their boring. Their scutes are filed off in the process. Where as Squamosa has the most predominant scutes of all Tridacnid sp.

The eyes of a clam are the small black dots the line the border of the mantel. Although they can not truely "see" through these eyes, they are sensitive to light, and allow the clam to respond to changing light conditions (closing when a shadow passes over the clam).

Hope that helps a bit!