Just Bought My First Clam

[Ddddrgnfly]

Hey All,
I just got my first clam yesterday.I am not new to reefkeeping,just new to clam keeping.Ever since I started reefin about 6 yrs ago I have wanted a clam but wanted to wait until everything seemed rt.Off and on there would be a lil somethin here,lil somethin there wrong.Broke the tank down once during the course and let it sit empty for about a yr.Now,,,here I am,the tank looks good,everything growing great.

I didnt want to buy one and learn as I went. These board are awsome and a big thanx to everyone for all the info here.

Our newest addition to the tank is a 2 & 3/4" Squamosa. I want to make sure I can keep him alive and healthy before venturing any further. Did I make the right decision by getting the Squamosa as a first clam.

After reading many nights(much to the dismay of the wife"being up all night") I had read that they were pretty hardy. I studied him for about 30 min at my LFS watching the reaction of the mantle and siphon.

It is a very beatiful lil clam,(I KNOW THIS BECAUSE IT IS MINE . LOL

I bought some marine snow when I got him. I had read that DT's was best but my LFS was out and this is all he had.

I hope I have made a good decision in this new venture. I look forward to many enjoyable evenings watching this wonerful creature.

Sorry for the long post,I just needed to tell someone.
Where are some good reputable places online to buy clams from???

140g w/ attached 30g grow out tank,30g sump
3-175 10k m/h,2 sets 96w PC's
2-SS, 4-PH,
Skimmer,Doser,RO/DI

Anything else I might need?

Thanx,
Roger

 

[MiNdErAsR]

You are going to need DT's, or some other *living* phytoplankton. Marine Snowâ„¢ isn't exactly food, more water than anything. Other than that I think you made a good choice for your aquarium. Watch out for pyramid snails as well.

 

[jim norris]

Roger,
You made a very good choice with the squamosa! Enjoy!
Jim


www.theclamclub.net

 

[toptank]

Welcome to the world of clams.

 

[Ddddrgnfly]

Pyramid Snails? I am quite sure that I either have some or have seen them before,just never heard the term pyramid snail.Please define. I will def get some dt's but like I said they were out at the time. I had done a search on hermits and clams and didn't find too much on the subject.Anyone care to elaborate on the subject.

Can anyone give any poiters and some no-no's they they have experieced over the years. Also, do clams move around alot, during the daytime when the lights are on he seems to be fine and looks good,but the last two nights he wanders around in the darkness. Both nights he has traveled approx 6-8" from the prev location.

Thanx,
Roger

This Is Awsome,Only Wish I Had Done It Sooner

 

[hiddendragonet]

Congrats!

Pyramid snaills look like grains of rice attached to the clam. You should examine your clam, and if you see any of these, remove them. Check the clam often after that, because more may sprout up. They will probably kill your clam if you don't take care of them. Not all clams have them, though, so don't fret too much.

So, how 'bout a pic of the new squammy?

Only pointer is watch your calcium levels to keep 'em up.

HD

 

[Ddddrgnfly]

Another Ques.
Has anyone ever noticed if clams start to close at the end of the photo period like some corals do or are they supp to be open the whole time the lights are on.

Rog

 

[hiddendragonet]

Your clam should be responsive to light changes. They don't close up entirely at night, but you will probably notice decreased mantle extension.

 

[Ddddrgnfly]

Hey Dragonet

Thanx for responding. It is very responsive tochanges in light.Some nights,not all,but some nights it looks as if it is completely closed all but maybe a 1/4" or so. So far it seems to be doing good. I did notice one day it appeared that it's mouth was wide, and I mean wide open. That lasted for about an hour and since all seems well. Is this normal at time for them to do this. Also at the time that that happened I was having some a/c problems but that has been corrected I hope. The tank was at 85 when I noticed it's mouth open like that.

Roger

 

[hiddendragonet]

No problem.

No, it's not normal for them to "gape." I would continue to blame that occurrance on the temperature spike unless it happens again. Once in a while, a clam will "belch," though. Almost like it yawns- open very slowly and then contract. I think it may have something to do with cleaning grits of sand out, or trying to free an air bubble.

Your clams behavior at night sounds normal.

Happy clamming!

 

[Squidman]

Roger

Roger

I just had to chuckle when I saw the title of your post, "My first Clam". I bought my first clam not too long ago, I just recieved my second order and now I have five clams. The reason I thought it was funny is because I went from "my first clam", to spending most of my time figuring out how to make room for more clams. You're doomed to be addicted. I love my clams. I sit there and stare at them all the time. My wife thinks I'm nuts. They are so cool. I've watched them jump with their foot. It's pretty amazing to actually see them use their foot to move. I don't think he liked the original spot I gave him, hence the jump. Pretty lucky I was staring right at him when he did it. I've seen them lie down, pop up and spin a 180. They are awesome. Congratulations on your new clam and I hope you enjoy him as much as I do mine.

 

[Squidman]

Nice choice too!

Nice choice too!

Also, I love squamosa's. I don't have one yet because mine died from shipping. I'm not sure what it is about them but I just think squamosa's are super cool. Good for You!