Maxima vs. Crocea: Cage Match

[Rovert]

I hope this doesn't wind up starting a flame war, but I'm curious to know which clams are more highly prized; Maximas or Croceas. Obviously, these two are more preferred in the hobby than Derasa, Squamosa, Gigas and Hippopus, but of the two, which are more (rare, valued, exotic, whatever...) than the other, and why?

I'm looking for the 'general rule', not the exception. Please don't vote for Gigas because you happen to have one of the very rare blue ones, what I'm after is which of the two - Maxima or Crocea - are the more highly prized, and why.

 

[a4twenty]

i'd say maxima

 

[Rovert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9719316#post9719316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by a4twenty
i'd say maxima

Ok, but any thoughts on why?

 

[DrDNA]

because no one would pay $300 for a crocea?
the only other clam I can think of offhand that fetches more money would be a blue squamosa...

 

[Rovert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9719681#post9719681 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrDNA
because no one would pay $300 for a crocea?

Ah, but why would no one pay $300 for a crocea? What is it about the T.maxima that makes it more valuable?

 

[DrDNA]

I have kind of wondered about that too. Maybe it just comes down to simple supply and demand. It seems like crocea clams are like a dime a dozen out here in CA (not literally, but you get my point). But, try actually finding a nice big maxima with nice coloration at your LFS. Next to impossible. I have asked a couple of my LFS that carry a lot of reef stuff and they said they just don't see any of the nice big maximas at the wholesalers like you see on sites like clamsdirect, and they said they have no idea how Barry is getting all those nice clams. One LFS had dinky little 1" maximas for $40 that looked like crap. Maybe it is just an issue of aquaculture not producing enough, since I think that a 2" maxima is like 5-7 years old (or maybe that is 4"...).
I dunno, your thoughts???

 

[Rovert]

Jeff, I was thinking along the same lines as you; that it's not so much a bioligic issue of rarity as it is an economic issue of opportunity. Simply that the demand for T.max is driving the price up.

But, if that's the case (and there's a huge 'if'), it begs the question WHY are Maximas more coveted by us in the hobby than Crocea.

There are absolutely stunning Crocea out there... sometimes more so than Maximas. So, one wonders what drives the preference for Maximas. Is it the color range? The patterning? The shape of the shell or mantle? Surely the Crocea are as colorful. They're as interesting, being in the same family. The care requirements are virtually identical. So, what gives???

I'm stumped; hence the question. I'd really like to see if we can figure this out, because it's something that's been puzzling me for a while.

 

[Drake1]

for me its size, a full gorwn croc. is 6 inches and a full max. is around 12-14 inches

 

[DrDNA]

I agree, size matters Although maximas have a slow growth rate compared to gigas, just hoping that your nice maxima will some day be 12" in length is one big reason people buy them.
I think that the rare color patterns (i.e. black and white, teardrop, etc) have a lot to do with it. And for some reason too, just the fact that you have something in your tank that is "rare" (even though they may be farm raised...) I think drives up the price and demand too. For instance, look at those blue squammies that get upwards of $500 for one clam!
There is no doubt that there are some really nice croceas out there, but I still like the maximas better though. Someday when I want some nice electric blue clams, I will probably get a couple croceas.
The main reason I even have clams is to assist in filtering, they just happen to look nice at the same time

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9722683#post9722683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Drake1
for me its size, a full gorwn croc. is 6 inches and a full max. is around 12-14 inches

 

[Rovert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9724521#post9724521 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrDNA
I agree, size matters Although maximas have a slow growth rate compared to gigas, just hoping that your nice maxima will some day be 12" in length is one big reason people buy them.
I think that the rare color patterns (i.e. black and white, teardrop, etc) have a lot to do with it.

Point taken. I bought a T. Max at around 3" four or five years ago, and it's grown to over twice its original size in that span of time. I'll post some pics a bit later, now that I've been inspired to get off my butt and document some "family photos".

 

[ezcompany]

cuz croceas only look nice when seen from the top

 

[tcmfish]

I like the maximas they get a lot larger, the colors are usually more solid and the pattern more pronounced, and I like the shape of the mantle more than the crocea even though it may not seem too much different. just my opinion.