New clams...placement question

[smcnally]

I just got two clams from a tank that had a HUGE hair algae bloom and is being tore down. The previous owner had them about 18" from the surface with 400W MH over it (Looked like 14,000K to me). They always had nice color before but since the hair algae shaded a lot of the tank they've lost a little color. I put them in my 75Gal which has 175W 10,000K MH's and 96W Actinic03 power compacts. They opened up nicely, but I want to make sure my placement is alright. I have the maxinma up real high (about 4 inches from the surface) and off a little to the side of the light. The crocea is about 3 inches lower directly under the bulb. Here's a picture of each. The color doesn't look to faded in them because my MH were off at the time. But when they are on they look more faded.
Maxima:

Crocea:

 

[mbbuna]

if there opening up fully for now then i wouldnt move them.if they dont open all the way and it seems like they are getting to much light just move them down a little bit.
can you get a pic of the side of the shell of the first one,you said it was a maxima,but to me it looks like a crocea also.

 

[smcnally]

Here's a not so great pic. I'll try for a better one tomorrow. I'm not the best at telling the difference. I just assumed it was a Maxima because he told me it was sold to him as one and because it had scutes.

 

[smcnally]

By the way, will that Vermetid Snail bother it? Should I snip it off?

 

[mbbuna]

see if you can get a pic str8 on from the side,Croceas do grow shutes but they are thin and can be broken off very easly and some exporters will break them off to make it easer to check for snails. the vermetid will not hert the clam but they do look ugly when they put out there slime

 

[smcnally]

I forgot I had this picture to of it mostly closed. Does this help at all?

I'll try to get that straight shot tomorrow when my lights come back on.

 

[mbbuna]

it still looks like a crocea to me.i will be able to tell for sure with a side pic.

 

[smcnally]

I can't get a better pic. The clam has already grabbed onto the rock.

 

[Unarce]

All of the clams pictured appear to be crocea.

It's a very good sign that it has attached. As long as it's secured to the rockwork, where it would not be at risk of falling off if it let go, than you should be good.

Personally, I like to have them mimic their ability to burrow by placing them deep in a specially made crevice:

 

[smcnally]

Nice clam! So both of mine are Croceas? Still a great deal. I got both of those and a large Squamosa (about 9-10 inches) for free. Can't beat that. I'm actually helping the guy break down his tank and doing some work for him. So it will all even out in the end though.

 

[Unarce]

Thanks! They are much more happier this way.

They're definitely crocea. You'd normally expect crocea to have completely smooth shells, but farm-raised specimens will show some scutes because they've never had the chance to burrow like they would normally do in nature.

Maxima shells a much more elongated than crocea, too. Good luck with all of them!

 

[mbbuna]

you cant tell by just looking at the mantle.the shell is the only way to tell for sure.Maximas will also burrow into the rocks