Is this a gigas?

[MarkS]

I bought this as a gigas, but I'm not too sure after reading Knop's book. Any ideas?

Normally, it is open so much that it looks like it is going to pop out of it's shell. I just finished inspecting it for parasites and adding more sand to the aquarium shortly before these pics were taken, so it's a little annoyed.

 

[The Shrimp X]

i would say yes on the shell shape and pattern.

 

[mbbuna]

i agree

 

[cristhiam]

yeap

 

[MarkS]

yeap

Yeap? Did I scare you? :lol:

 

[critterkeeper]

No question about it,

The rings and the transucent areas covering the mantle are giveaways

 

[Barry N.]

No question about it,

Sure is

 

[Julio]

yeah, and in a year you will need a bigger tank.

 

[MarkS]

yeah, and in a year you will need a bigger tank.

In a year, it will be in a 360 gallon tank set up primarily for the clam.

 

[Julio]

sweet!!

 

[MarkS]

sweet!!

I cannot wait until the tank is set up. There will be other occupants (mostly clams and other inverts), but the focal point will be the gigas. I am going to have a 3' x 3' space cleared on the sand bed in the center of the tank for the gigas with two live rock islands on either side.

 

[xdusty6920]

wered you get it from? ive been looking for one in the 4 -6 inch range

 

[MarkS]

wered you get it from? ive been looking for one in the 4 -6 inch range

At a trusted LFS. I don't know where he gets them from.

 

[evinny101]

Very nice color, Very very fast growing clam!

 

[Sullyman]

Unbelievably fast growth, drip Kalk for top off and it will grow even faster.

 

[xdusty6920]

anyone know were i can pick one up in the 4-6 inch range?
how big is that one? are you getting mantle extension yet?

 

[critterkeeper]

Just a note on growth.

Despite everyone saying it's going to grow so fast - it might not. In fact, it might grow really slowly and still be perfectly healthy, as each clam has it's own growth rate under various conditions, as it is certainly possible to get a "runt" clam tha is healthy but grows slower and/or to a smaller max size than other.

People seem to have the wrong idea that under good conditions, each species has some magical growth ate number, and that if your clam isn't there, then something's wrong. Not true at all. Even something like changing the temperature jus a few degrees and leaving everything else the same can have dramatic effects.

Then again, it might grow six inches this year, too... But, my point is, don't worry if it doesn't. As long as there is at least a little growth, you're doing ok.