New baby clam...how do I take care of it?

[Siapin]

Experienced clamists, please help!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm getting a 1.5" clam, shown below. I think this is a maxima, am I correct? I don't remember the ways to distinguish the species. I figured that being that small, I'd have to spot feed it phyto, probably put it in a bowl to feed it til it's 3-4".

What do I need to know about keeping it healthy?

I have an 18" tall 29g tank with 175w mh. Can I put it on the sand? Where's the best place for this kind of clam? Flow? I think I have enough. I've never had a clam before, so all I know is what I've read. What should I feed it? I have Kent Marine Phytoplex. Is that phyto good enough, or do I need live phyto? Should I feed it anything else? How often? Do I need to feed it in a bowl? How often, and how much should I feed it? What's the best way to get it growing and healthy?

I dose kalk. My parameters are probably an 8 out of 10. I have mostly softies, zoas, few lps, montipora, all doing fine. I don't test enough, only when I seriously think I need to, other than that, I go by their vigor as indicators (even though that probably isn't the best idea).

Any input please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CKreef]

you just need to sell it to me...lol

 

[Siapin]

any helpful info?

 

[jmaneyapanda]

well, you've hit a little sore spot. some people swear you'll need to give it supplemental food (ie- phytoplankton). However, I feel if you've got a good fish load, and feed the tank regularly, you should be ok. Small clams do not necessarily produce enough food from their zooxanthellae to support themselves, they will need supplemental sources. Really, all clams, despite age, will do this, but with smaller clams, it will be much more necessary. Also, make sure your calcium and alk is high- these guys are sponges.

 

[concept3]

Siapin, yes that looks like a maxima. In my experience, you can make do without "bowl feeding" since it looks like you have a decent bioload, and may do with just zooxanthellae symbiosis. If in doubt, it wouldn't hurt feeding the tank some fresh phytoplankton anyways. Also keep in mind that clams can bleach if moved into a very intense area without the correct acclimation (i.e. all the way up top under the MH). I suggest placing the clam down lower and graduyally moving him up a few inches every other day or so. Maximas and croceas are the most demanding of all the tridacnids, and hence their rock habitats. Mine are just directly under the halides (250 w)

I've seen both in the sandbed of people's tanks, but they are much happier in the rock structure. Place the little guy on a half chell clam or maybe even a flat piece of LR so you can move him to his final spot in the future once acclimated. I started my clams at 1.5"-2" with no supplemental phyto feedings, and have grown since then.

Also you mentioned

I'd have to spot feed it phyto, probably put it in a bowl to feed it til it's 3-4"

For a maxima or crocea to grow 3-4" takes a while........now a gigas on the other hand........... that's a different story.


Good luck with the clam!

 

[Siapin]

Thanks alot guys...anybody else with any input?