Tiny Clam Substrate

[Darth_Tater]

So I got myself a tiny Maxima from Petco (under 2") the other day and it's so small it doesn't have any of the byssal threads yet. I have it sitting on a chunk of ceramic and it keeps falling on its side. Should I keep it on the sand until it gets bigger?

 

[theschwenkster]

Burry the tile in sand under clam and use sand to support it until it attaches


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[Darth_Tater]

I'll give that a try. Thanks!


How big do they usually get before they start attaching to things?

 

[theschwenkster]

I'll give that a try. Thanks!


How big do they usually get before they start attaching to things?

Pretty much should start anytime

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[Uncle99]

Keep in mind that the survival rate of clams under 2" is not great, not impossible, but their mantle is usually not of the size it needs for photosynthetic survival in captivity. Keeping some phyto in the water would help.

Best to buy 3-5........

 

[Darth_Tater]

Yes, I remember reading that. I got it for $30 though so figured it would have a better shot in my tank than the store. I get an algae film on my glass that I have to magnet off every couple days that turns the water green for a few minutes so it should get some food through filtering.


It has sat upright for a couple days in a row now and is wide open. Interestingly, the mantle has changed color slightly from a solid gold to more of a blue tint in the gold.

 

[theschwenkster]

Yes, I remember reading that. I got it for $30 though so figured it would have a better shot in my tank than the store. I get an algae film on my glass that I have to magnet off every couple days that turns the water green for a few minutes so it should get some food through filtering.


It has sat upright for a couple days in a row now and is wide open. Interestingly, the mantle has changed color slightly from a solid gold to more of a blue tint in the gold.

Certainly worth a try. Sounds like it is going the right direction. Lots of light and stable tank should give it the best chance. Let's see some pix!

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[Darth_Tater]

Pics aren't great since all I have is my phone. I need to move some sand again. My clowns are intent on making sure none of it remains on the bottom of the tank...

 

[theschwenkster]

Looks good. Keep looking for new shell growth. You know for sure it is happy enough to be focused on growing.


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[homer1475]

If its thriving, the uppermost shell(closest to the mantle) should be stark white. if it's any color other then white, it may not have long to live.



Most clams kept in captivity, or tank raised, once large enough to hold themselves upright loose their bysal threads, as they are not getting whipped around by currents in our tanks. I read about this when researching for my first clam.



I have a blue maxima, and a gold squammy. Both are now large enough to hold themselves upright and no longer have bysal threads. When they were tiny(less then 3 inches) they both had plenty of bysal threads.



Just keep looking for that stark white shell closest to the mantle for a handle on how the clam is doing. They should also respond to light stimuli(wave your hand over them and they should close up a bit).

 

[Darth_Tater]

Thanks! I did see the light reflex yesterday a couple times when a fish swam over it. I'll keep an eye out for new shell growth.

 

[ChronicReefH2o]

The clam looks to be buried a little too much. My option would be to put it in a clam shell. Maxima clams are not sand dweller and mostly found on rock works. By burying the clam, you could drown the foot and rot it out in turn killing it. Yes, the clam needs to shove its foot into a hole of some sort to to keep it safe from other predators that love a good midnight snack.