The benefit of feeding clams

[Paul B]

I take a sharp, small knife and make a circular dent. Then just keep shaving off thin slices. If you are using tiny clams it ain't easy. Big clams are easier. Put them back in the freezer in a plastic bag or they will get freezer burn. Don't do it over the tank. Do it on a piece of paper on a table for support or you will cut your finger off

 

[spamreefnew]

Ok so you are almost using the knife like a mini bit race or drill then? Think I get it. I used a cheese grater last night and that worked pretty good until I got down to the shell. My tangs and chromis loved the clam feast but my clowns and cardinals would not touch the stuff. I was thinking I would try some frozen skipjack and silversides fresh from the bay this spring as well. Now that I mention it, I could even get hundreds of green shore crabs an mosh those up to. What do you think?

 

[Paul B]

Did you ever mush up a chore crab? You just get slime out of them. Those shore crabs are an invasive species, they are Japanese Shore crabs and cover the east coast.
Use clams, they are cheap. Get large chowder clams. Just carve a circular dent and keep shaving.

 

[biecacka]

Paul, i just got some larger top neck down clams, what is the best way to open them? i have them in the freezer now because i heard that the cold will shock them into opening a small amount so i can get a toothpick in there. any advice

Corey

 

[GT350pwns]

Can't find any clams in my area

Found a place that ships live ones but they want $80 for 2 lbs of clams (includes shipping, but still seems outrageous).

Really wanting to give these a go. Black worms seem like more work than I want to undertake.

 

[Paul B]

Can't you get frozen clams? I don't know because when I was stationed in Fort Knox, I probably couldn't get clams either. And I can't live long without eating clams.
Corey, if you already froze the clams they are not that easy to open. You will have to take a strong knife, put it in the slit, sit it on a workbench and hit it with a hammer. You will probably break the shell but it doesn't matter. Frozen clam meat is like almost hard glue, it still moves but not real easy. You need to cut the muscle on each side of the slell then pry it open. Don't just hit the clam with a hammer because you will smash the shell into small pieces and it will be hard to get the meat out. The next time you get them. Semi open them while they are alive and put something in there to keep them a little open. Then it is easier to get a knife in there to cut the muscle.

 

[biecacka]

Cool. Thanks man.

Corey

 

[JIK]

Haha, good write up! I always feed my tank fresh seafood whenever I buy some for cooking.

 

[GT350pwns]

I haven't seen frozen in any of the big name groceries. I think I'm going to start hunting in some of the smaller named local stores and sames & Costco

 

[Paul B]

Do they have any fish markets by you guys? I don't know because here in New York we have them all over the place.

 

[GT350pwns]

Not that I'm aware of. One of the warehouse stores will probably be the best bet. Just haven't gotten around to checking them.

Hard to come by fresh sea food in Kentucky lol.

Another reason I will be moving to Florida in a couple of years

 

[CStrickland]

Yeah, my buddy found some at a costo in the red states. I think she found out when they got shipments and just called on that day until some clams came in and then bought a whole mess of them.

I tried mussels cause my husband just "acquires" whatever is on special at the restaurant, and my fish turned up their little noses. I've spoiled them it seems. Or maybe there's something in there that isn't good, I guess a filter feeder could pull something icky out of the water like sunscreen off people swimming, or toxic waste. Animals know what they need to eat, so the mussels made me think this way is better than chumming everything up in a blender for them.

 

[laga77]

Ever since I found this thread and starting feeding clams and oysters, my fish have been very healthy. Today I saw something I thought I would never see. In a 120G reef tank with over a 100 pounds of rock and a fuge, my Mandarin was eating cut up pieces of clam. I have no idea how long he has been doing this, but I guess this is part of the reason I have a fat Mandy. BTW, he also eats worms.