Signs of growth?

[intenseimage]

Just wondering if there are any tell tale signs of growth for clams aside from overall measurements.

I only ask because we got a Crocea back in Oct (first clam) and have noticed that its starting to bore into the rock and that the top edge of its shell has a brigher white edge to it - as if it may be new growth?

 

[jmadison]

white edge is your new growth. Uusally its quite easy to see(when mantle is retracted) because the old parts of the shell is covered in coraline or other things

 

[intenseimage]

Great!

This has really started to show up lately (basically around the time that it really started to bore into the rock)

Thanks for the help

 

[jmadison]

I'd recomend having it bore into a small more movable rock, rather than a show piece or main rock. Itll make it easier to move if needed. They love them some calcium too, so keep an eye on it.

 

[intenseimage]

I will definitely take that into account for future clams ... but since this one is situated it can stay

My cal is currently at 380 ppm and stable. I have thought about bumping to 420 ppm

 

[jefathome]

You can also tell by counting the number of the little "folds" that come off the shell. There is an official name for them, but I forget.

 

[mscarpena]

I would try to bump up your calciumto 420. You might be suprised at how fast they can suck it up.

 

[Americanreef]

You will see that the new growth is more white near the mantle when the clam closes

 

[IFbettas]

The folds are called scutes. In nature croceas don't have any, because they are ground down from their boring into rocks. However, in captivity they can grow scutes. My crocea has added a couple new scutes since I got it last fall; they are the slowest growing clam. Also, it is really surprising that yours is actually boring into rocks in your tank. I was reading the book Giant Clams in the Sea and Aquarium, and Fatherree said that it is extremely rare for them to bore in aquariums, unless you get them at a size of an inch or less. How big is your clam?

 

[intenseimage]

Its approx 3"