Hi Forum,
keeping a Maxima is as difficult as keeping other tridacnic clams but not magic.
When you look for some important points, you will have fun for a long time with your clam.
Be sure your tank is good cycled (min. 6 months - better 12) and your system is robust. Read about the lighting requirements in this forum.
Buying: Have a real good look for "your" clam.
Don´t buy clams with:
- bleached parts
- white spots
- clams with small white snails
- clams that are closed the whole time
- clams that react only slowly when they are irritateted (that means fast closing and opening a few seconds later)
- damaged byssus (be shure the clam is not fixed on the ground when it is moved - good dealers cut the byssal-strings with a shear)
When you arrive at home, give the clam a lot of time to acclimate with your tank-water with the drop-method for 30 to 45 Minutes.
When you put the clam into your tank, turn it around until all air is escaped.
Find a nice place for the clam. If it won´t open, tries do get away with the byssus, or falls to one side a lot of times look for another place - you will find it soon.
When you bought a clam bigger than 2-3 " you don´t have to feed them. If they are smaller, the rate of the mantle size is to small for the big muscle - the clam is not able to support itself only with photosynthesis.
Then you should feed phytoplancton and Aminoacid (like in Clam-Farms) - take care for the water-values
When you follow these tips, you will have fun with your clam
Best regards
Kristof
