The two Big Maximas finally made it!

[jim norris]

A short story on how tuff clams can be. I ordered these to big maxs over 10 inches each! Good Friday they were shipped from the Marshall Islands. Of course being Easter weekend the Fish and Wildlife department was closed. I could not clear Fish and Wildlife and then US Customs until monday! A very long weekend. Finally after coming home with them from Dallas to Austin I was able to get them in a tank by 7:00pm monday night! This is about 80 hours in a BAG. I had order other also but these two were mine. Over 90% made it. Here are three pictures the first shows how big these guys are---the small max on the right is 5 inches!
Jim

 

[jim norris]

Big Blue

 

[jim norris]

Big Green

 

[goodguy]

Those look great. Where did you get them? I bet they were pricey. I'm actually looking for some in that size myself.

 

[PDQ]

Hello Jim,

I had sent you a couple of emails asking for pictures and prices for Maxima clams (about one week ago) and have not received any email back from you. Did you get my emails? If not let me know so that I can resend them. By the way, what is the normal price for a big clam like the one you mentioned here?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Phong

 

[coralite]

I also would like to know where the clams are from. Are they from ponapei like alot of high quality the large clams?

 

[jim norris]

The Clams are from the Marshall Islands.
Jim

 

[coralite]

Are those clams wild caught? I didn't think farm raised clams were available that large. i couldn't enjoy such a large mature clam knowing clams are prone to environmental pressures and extinct in areas.

 

[jim norris]

Aquafresh,
Very good point! That is why I buy farm raise clams. Commercial farming has be going on since the early 90's. They have come along way. Some areas have been repopulated with clams were they were previously extinct. This is a noble cause and effort!!! They cost more but are well worth it! I like your picture of that angel is he yours? (I don't think they farm raise those yet!)
Jim

 

[coralite]

It was mine and was a pet at my former store until he was sold. Although they are not being raised yet, a batch of very similar angels, the bluestripe Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis, was available about 6 months ago. I believed they were raised from newly settled larvae.
What is the age and availability of such large tridacnids and what assurance do you have that they are farmed?

 

[jim norris]

Aquafresh,
The only assurance I have is a man's word. Which right or wrong is what I still go by. If you do not mine me asking chaetodontoplus conspicillatus the true jewel of the angel world use to require a permit to collect because of their rarity. This rarity I think is the reason of the very high price to obtain(I think it is afew thousand $$$ to get one) why would you have one? Knowing that they are only located in one small part of the world. And by us hobbyists wanting the RARE are probably making them extinct!
Jim

 

[coralite]

Conspics are becoming less rare than thought like coelacanth. Most of the associated rarity is due to inaccessibility and high demand. Its not like you have to chase down a clam or dive deep for it. I had that fish when I used to do retail but I left the industry for the very reason we are hinting at. Since I have turned cynical and hypocritical in a way but i just try to keep it in everyone's ear so it isn't taken for granted. Having worked in the industry w/ alot of the same people i have learned to question things like "purple cauliflower coral"... just that empty vagueness suppliers expect everyone to swallow.

 

[jim norris]

Aquafresh,
I am lending that way to the older I get. The only diving one has to do with farm raise clams that I get is up to the elbows.
Jim