to judge color from above or from the side

[douglam]

I am trying to figure out if my clam is receiving enough light. It is oven but it is turning itself on my sandbed. When i look at it from above it is black with the blue lines in it, and when i look at it from the side the blue lines are kinda fuzzy and the black looks like deep purple with maybe a hint of brown. is this just the way clams are. or do i need to give the clam more light. it is currently off on the side of my 12g AP where my sailfin blenny cant get it. It is under a 70watt sunpod.

 

[aquajunkie]

hmm... to my best knowledge clams need MH...

 

[douglam]

It is under a metal halide 70 watts of it

 

[TWallace]

All clams do not need MH lighting. He hasn't even stated what kind of clam it is. Derasas absolutely do not need MH lighting. I don't believe squamosas or gigas do either, but I've never kept one of those. I know there are some that successfully keep croceas under T5 or VHO as well. Though most keep croceas/maximas under MH.

The color change you're seeing from top vs. side is normal for clams. They are always more colorful when viewed from above because you're seeing the reflection of the light shining on the colorful zooxanthellae in the tissue.

 

[tinyreef]

different angles, different lighting will yield you different colorations.

 

[a4twenty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13739346#post13739346 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinyreef
different angles, different lighting will yield you different colorations.

i agree

to tell if he is getting enough light look for any signs of bleaching ( mantle turning white ) or how his mantle lays on the shell. if you're unsure post a couple of pics.