New Deresa

Mariner

Mariner

New member
I'm new to clam keeping. Just got this T. deresa today. Paid $30 for it. It's 4 or 5 inches accross and seems to be acclimating to my tank nicely. I've got it on the sand in my 75g under 240 watts of fluorescent lighting.
Any pointers, observations, etc would be welcome.
24125deresa.JPG

24125deresaxenia.JPG

Mariner
 
Thanks guys. I gather that the correct spelling is actually DERASA. Anybody know the correct pronunciation?
He's really opened beautifully today. He's got a bluish-purple trim around the rim of his mantle. Do you think my lighting is sufficient for him to keep his color? I'd read that the derasa can do ok in medium light.
Mariner
 
Regular NO fluorescent -- 240 watts of it.
I might say that this light has proved more than sufficient for montipora digitata, capricornus and even a "green slimer" acro -- all of which show good color and growth.
I am thinking the clam will as well, but I'm open to opinions, suggestions, etc.
Mariner
 
Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m no expert when it comes to clams and only have had one (Derasa) for a limited amount of time. I have mine under 244w of PC lighting in a 38g tank which I believe is one inch less tall than your tank. He hasnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t lost any color (see pic below) and I have high hopes he wonââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t. Lighting as you know looses its intensity the deeper it has to penetrate a tank so NO lighting will have the weakest penetration compared to VHO, PC or MH. Itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s all relative when speaking about lighting and usually one has to wait at least a month or longer to know if they are providing enough light for their animals. The primary thing that makes MH better than florescent lighting is that it is extremely concentrated whereas florescent lighting is spread along a shaft. So, watt for watt MHs will always provide more intensity and thus penetration. That said, your NO lighting will not penetrate very far and for a tank your size it is spread across a larger area than mine. Without doing the math I would guess that the bottom of my tank is getting around one third more lighting than yours is. Long story short, my guess (and it is a big guess) is that your clam will loose that bluish coloration and probably get a few shades darker brown over the next 3 to 6 months. Will your clam survive? Yes, it will but I would feed it once a week to make up what it will be loosing in nutrients due to having less light. It probably will not grow quickly either.

And the most likely reason you are having success with your other light loving animals is your water quality, it is probably very good.

clam1.jpg
 
Thanks Maxxumlus.
Nice looking clam. Exactly how long have you had him?

I agree that slightly lower than optimum light can usually be compensated for with good water quality, proper flow, feeding, etc. And, as you indicated, only time will tell how my clam will do.
Maybe I'll report back to this thread in a few months with an update.
Mariner
 
LoL, a whole week :rolleyes:

Actually, Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll post a pic of mine here on this thread after you do (or if I remember in a month or two). We can compare the clams and what happens under our different lighting types. I feed my tank phytoplankton and zooplankton a couple times a week, but that should not have a dramatic effect on the clams color.
 
A T.derasa is the best choice for anyone that hasn't had experience in keeping clams. Very Hardy!

Nice speciment. :)
 
My first clams was a "T. deresa" and I keep it under VHOs. It survived but never really grew. It was in the tank with VHOs for over 2 years and only grew about 1/2" ,but after upgrading my lighting to 2 x 250w MH. I have seen 1/2" growth in 4 months. Better mantle extension and color.
 
i have had my derasa for 6 months under VHO,...its growing like a freak'n weed,...over an inch of growth so far. It was 3 to 4 inches when i got it. i actually wish it grew slower,...its sucking the calcium out of my tank like a vacuum cleaner.

i also just got a crocea a month ago,...also growing real fast already.

good luck with youur clam,...they are great!
 
Here's an update on my derasa after 4 and 1/2 months. It's doing well. The color seems about the same to me, although it expands so widely that the blue line on the rim of the mantle is often folded under so you can't see it. There is a wide (1") white strip between the shell and the mantle on the underside -- I think this is new growth, but am not sure. Anyway, here's a pic.
derasa10-10-04.jpg

All I can say for sure is that a derasa will live and grow for over 4 months under NO fluorescent lights :)
Mariner
 
Ok Reefmaster, no fair getting all the compliments for your clam on MY CLAM THREAD!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
That is a really cool looking clam though. The tight pattern of lines makes me go crosseyed. What do you think accounts for the lines -- genetics or lighting?
Mariner
 
Mariner

I did not mean to hijack your thread. Just wanted to share. I think the lines are genetic.

minus_13

I got it at Aquarium Concepts on Sunset and 117Ave
 
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