New clams, need advice

[RhondaJ]

I got 3 new clams yesterday. They are all three maximas. I have never had maximas. I do have 400 watt MH.

I was really trying not to buy maximas since I have heard they are hard to keep. I had this really hugh Naso tang and a purple tang. Well, our local eco systems here mentioned going to get some big fish for their 2000 gal tanks so I decided to take my big fish there because I knew their size would be so much happier in the 2000gal systems. Well, they gave me these 3 really nice clams for giving them the 2 fish.

One of the clams is a beautiful clam and is about 5 inches. The other 2 are beautiful but are only about 2 inches. The tiny purple one was attached to a very small rock but is has let go of the rock. I do notice that it left part of the foot behind but seems to be doing ok today. Will it die since it left part of its foot? I have read others say that they had regrow a foot as long as the internal muscle wasn't damaged. What do you think? I have noticed that the maximas don't have the real think muscle that the croceas and derasas have. Is that normal?

OK any advice you can give to keep these guys alive would be really great. BTW I do feed the tank DTs live phytoplanton and I keep the calcium at 450 all the time. Any other advice?

 

[MiNdErAsR]

If the clam chose to release the rock (read not forcibly removed) it should be fine. The 2 inch and smaller clams *can* be more difficult to keep alive, however not impossible. They will need food and DT's will help. Do NOT attempt to feed the clams directly. Just feed the tank and let them fin their own food.

Are there any fish in the tank? Clams enjoy a bit of nitrate and having fish will help (daily feedings, wastes, etc.), but don't go overboard on the nitrate thing. Otherwise it sounds as though you have things covered. You shouldn't have any problems.

I would recommend you pick up a copy of "Giant Clams" by Daniel Knop. An excellent reference, and a must have for clam keepers.

IMO, IME, HTH