My new clam... could this be considered an Ultra grade?

[Bayliner]

Hi,
just picked up this new Maxima. It is about 2".
It was next to the ultras but I paid the regular price for it.
Do you think it could be an Ultra grade ?
Regardless I am really happy with it.

Thanks
Cam

 

[itchy96]

pic?

 

[Bayliner]

Sorry... technical difficulties..
My picture is under 50K but it also needs to be 800 X 800ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll see what I can do about thatââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
The picture is in my photo gallery thoughtââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦The picture is called Maxââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦Ã¢â"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.strangeââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.

 

[holeinone1972]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/11638Max-med.jpg

You mean this one?

Looks nice, but I would say first grade.

Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


To post your photo's from your gallery into the post here is what you do.

Go to gallery, select the image.
Right click the image, and select properties.
Copy the image code.
Go to your post.
Select IMG button.
When pop up window shows up, just hit ctrl v and it will paste your code into the box.
Click ok, and submit post.



Rob

 

[Bayliner]

Rob,
Thanks. That's the one I was referring to.

Your right beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am very happy with this one...Nice looking clams are hard to find where I liveââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦ I am starting to consider purchasing one on lineââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦

Could you help me understand what the different grades are ? Is their others besides ultra and 1st grade ?

I tried to do a search but it didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t help.

And thanks for the instructions on posting from my gallery that will help in the future..

Cam

 

[holeinone1972]

Ultra Maxima's are usually just a little more intense looking than 1st grades. There is no physical difference, only beauty. Someone once said these are prettier we should all charge more.

1st grade Maxima's are identical physically but are usually a more drab color, and accepted as less beautiful.

Electric Crocea's same thing as ultra max's. 1st grade crocea's are simply less striking.

Now there are Teardrop Max's and Crocea's which have 9 tear like markings) for which they are named. They also come in normal browns, and golds, or can come in very brilliant colors also.

Squamosa's can be drab brown or blue which seems to be very very rare.

Then there are ugly old hippopus clams. Which even at their best are not comparable to widely excepted beauty of max's and crocea's.

Derasa clams also, and Gigas (which get to be huge!!! like 4-6 ft huge)

Once again beauty really is in the eye of the beholder here. So buy what you like.

Rob

 

[Mr aqua]

I have a T. max similiar to urs. Mine is black tho, with white and blue specks/lines. Black T. maxi color variations like mine and possibly yours, are also said to be semi-rare. If u purchased one at regular price, I'd say u got a good deal...
good luck -

 

[Bayliner]

Rob,
Thanks for the explanation. That helps quite a bit.
I have always loved the Tear Drop. Unfortunately I have never seen one in person, Only in pictures.

Mr Aqua,
Thanks for the reply. I guess I should have mentioned that my Maxima pictured above is actually black and the spots are white with a slight tint of aqua blue on the outer rimââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦. The picture does not do it any justice. I wish I could photograph my clams so they look the same as in person.
Oh and one last thing regular price where I live is $ 79.00 for a 2ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ clamââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.. The Ultra beside it was
$ 189.00 and it was 2ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ as well. I would hate to see the price tag for a Tear Dropââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.

Cam

 

[Rothie]

Rob-
Tell me more about Teardrop croceas.I always thought this was just a marketing ploy.

"Now there are Teardrop Max's and Crocea's which have 9 tear like markings)"

 

[Mr aqua]

Your welcome - and $189 for a 2in T. Max or T Crocea clam?! wow. i get mine for 10-40 dollars. where do u live, siberia?

 

[Mr aqua]

Rothie - TD Maxima's are in fact, true. Beautiful and expensive. Use the search engine and you'll find tons of info and more importantly, pictures!

 

[holeinone1972]

Rob-
Tell me more about Teardrop croceas.I always thought this was just a marketing ploy.

"Now there are Teardrop Max's and Crocea's which have 9 tear like markings)"

Not really much to tell.

They simply exhibit a tear like pattern on the mantle.

Some crocea's do also, but it is the maxima, who has the reputation.

Once again, there are not physical characteristics, only beauty marks.

Rob

 

[Rothie]

I have 3 teardrop Max's.I was referring to the statement about teardrop CROCEAS.Is this just a casual description,or is this really a class of it's own(as in the way we describe T. max's with teardrop patterns).I have heard people decribe Croceas as teardrops(they all had more than 9 tears),but I have never seen a printed reference of this.
Rob,maybe I am misinterpreting what you wrote.I thought you were using Teardrop to describe a specific pattern of Croceas.
Anyhow, I sure would like to see some pics of the Croceas.I bet they are beautiful.

 

[holeinone1972]

No, I have not ever been sold Crocea's as Teardrops from a wholesaler or importer.

Electric Grade Best (prettiest) Can have a teardrop pattern
First Grade 2nd best in the eyes of the general public.

Rob

 

[Bayliner]

Mr Aqua,
10 - 40 dollars for a clam....must be nice....
I live in Canada just outside of Toronto.
I am surrounded by some great LFS but it is so hard to find spectacular looking clams. Like I mentioned earlier, I have never seen a Teardrop in person only in pictures.

Cam

 

[James Yeung]

Mr Aqua: Reefers in Toronto do not nearly have as much variety as the reefers in California! YOu guys are lucky, including the price!! You're quoting prices cheaper than what wholesalers here would charge!!

I too have never seen a TD forsale in Toronto.

James

 

[Dazz]

Hey if you guys in Toronto are looking for good prices in Canada, there is a guy who has a great selection and very good prices.

Here is a pic of a 2" maxima I got from him for (aprox) $65 CAD. I dont know if it would be considered ultra tho.

I also got a great acro frag for $24 and a 3" hippo tang for $48.
He's based in Montreal and here is a link to his site.
http://www.oceanviewenterprise.com/

 

[James Yeung]

Dazz: Thanks for the link... Ya know what? I haven't seen Blue Tang since early December. A LFS had a whole bunch. I didn't want one at the time and when I went back the following week, they were all gone! Now I kinda regret it.

James

 

[Dazz]

Yep, I heard the same thing from the LFS around here. They were all out and couldnt get any in. Well this guy can, and without ripping you off too!

BTW I got these just last week.