Tiny rescued Maxima

[3Tripnip]

Hey everyone,
A month or so ago, I bought a tiny Maxima (about 3/4") from my LFS. He was shadowed under some larger Maximas and seemed to be doing OK. He was, however, a deep brown color but the shop owner said that was normal. I purchased him and brought him home. He is now about 1" long and turned a dark violet with bright blue spots. Anyways, I had a question. He is so small that the inside of his mantle is semi-transparent. Is this normal? Please let me know. Thanks!
-Trip

 

[Squidman]

Probably just a result of not getting enough light before. It sounds like you're doing a great job of bringing him around. Good for you (and him). As long as he's growing, has good mantle extension and his colors seem to be coming back, Id say you're doing awesome. I'm sure his inner mantle section will be fine in time. Nice job!

 

[3Tripnip]

Wonderful! Thanks for the reply. I'm so glad that he's doing good. He's starting to color up really nice. Also, when they're that small, do they still want to attach to a rock with thier "foot"?
-Trip

 

[Squidman]

My little ones (1"-2") don't. But I pick them up every other day to feed them DT's in a bowl. My 2"-2.5" maxima's seem more interested in attatching.

Are you feeding your tank DT's? I'm very interested to hear about your tank conditions and what you feed. I have 3 small clams (2 maxima and 1 derasa) and I am trying to decide if it is worth placing them in a bowl to feed (like I've been doing) or simply feeding the tank. The seem a little stressed by being moved regularly although they still seem to be growing well. I'm wondering if they can get enough food if I just feed the whole tank DT's.

 

[3Tripnip]

Yeah, I've noticed that my clams get stressed out too when I move them around. I have a lot of light over them and they seem to enjoy it. I have a 175W 10K Aqualine MH and 2 55W PC's. I've heard many people tell me that they would be fine without being fed specifically so right now I don't. I have a powerhead slightly moving water across them and I see particles of the food I give my fish go into the clams. If they get a piece that's too big they just blow it out. I've seen growth in both of my clams so I don't see the need to feed them. Do you think I should?

So, I would say that if you just fed the whole tank DT's, it should be fine. Maybe just dump it in in front of a powerhead that's moving water over the clams. That might work.


-Trip

 

[Squidman]

You can't argue with results. I'm glad yours are doing well. Most people on this forum believe that the small clams can't survive on photosynthesis alone until they get at least 3" in size. So what I'm trying to figure out what the best way to feed them is with the least stress. I'm not sure how I would know if they weren't getting enough food. I have no problem feeding my tank DT's I'm just not quite sure how to properly estimate the correct amount.

 

[3Tripnip]

Yeah, I've heard that they can't survive either. I think it's one of those things where: Don't feed... some survive, always feed... all survive. I think that's the mentality of it. I think it has a lot to do with the amount of light. I think you could get away with having a clam in less light, but constantly be having to feed it. Then again, I've only been in this hobby for a relatively short time so I'm no expert.
-Trip