scallop

[Carolee]

I recently purchased a scallop. Imagine my surprise when I saw electric currents shooting back and forth across the opening. How does this affect fish? What do I need to know about their care. Can't find any information on them. I have a 120 gal reef tank with larger sized fish in it.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Assuming that you are talking about an electric flame scallop - what you are seeing is not electricity. "This is a flap of tissue (membrane) that is moved back and forth. It may actually reflect or refract a portion of light which may give it this glow or look like a quick electric arc. "

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bivbehfaqs.htm

Once in the tank they tend to hide. These animals need phytoplankton to be added to the aquarium water. Target feeding isn't always successful because they will only take so much at once and then close up or "spit out" the rest. They are difficult to keep and don't last long in most aquariums. However, if in a mature, stable system where they are provided with adequate food they can live for several years.

 

[Carolee]

Thanks. I assumed it was electricity because the fish store said to be careful or I would get shocked. (she had) I have a mature stable aquarium. How often should I feed them and how?

 

[Monkeyfish]

Supposedly they do best with a near constant drip of phyto, but that's a recipe for disaster if you don't know exactly how to do it correctly (which I don't). I have a flame scallop in a 3 year old 20 gallon FOWLR. I add phyto once or twice a week near the scallop so the current will take the food to him. The scallop has been in my tank for about 9 months and appears to be doing well. I think this is partially due to the tank being a little nutrient heavy and thus "growing" it's own phyto, but it could just be luck.

 

[The steven liu]

Actually I have to contradict you Monkeyfish with your statement on electric flame scallop. My friend is currently doing researches on nuron and electric pulses at the physiology department at University of Wisconsin. One of the subject they uses is electric flame scallop by figuring out its electric pulses and movements in ions to create the surge. Anyhow, my point is the electric scallop creates a real surge. However this surge should pose no harm to human nor tankmates as it is not by any means used to hunt its prey. It will accept zooplankton and phytoplankton as its food source. You must have ample supply of these in live form (not the dead bottled ones like Kent's) for optimun nutrition.

 

[Carolee]

That is great information. Thank you. Would a place like Foster's have live zooplankton or phytoplankton? How do I acquire it?

 

[Monkeyfish]

Very interesting steven. This is a different explanation than what I've read in the past.

Carolee - check out DT's Phytoplankton - I believe that they are a Reef Central sponsor. Good local LFSs will carry DT's.

 

[Opcn]

Monkey fish, the thing is you can see it in a pitch black room, so it cannot be refracting light, its a special case of biolumenescence at the very least.