Tridacna identification

[masterswimmer]

Hi, I'm trying to pick out a nice T. Derasa as my first venture into clams. My tank is now closing in on one year old. I've got T-5, 6 x 54w. Knowing that Derasa is the heartiest and best choice for a tridacna newbie I figured that would be my start.

Here's my question, how on earth do you identify and tell the difference between these clams? Derasa, Maxima, Crocea, Gigas, Hippopopus (sp?), they can all seem to have colorations that are similar. Is it the shell? The color of the mantle? Both? Just very confusing to this newbie.

Thanx for your help,
Russ

 

[Scuba Dog]

Oh how corect your are it can be confusing. Yes you go by the shape of the shell and with the riges or scutes on it. and then you go by mantel coloration and pattern...also size of the clam can be an indication....to make matters more confusing there are different grades of clams based on there sellable appearance...for maximas you have gold, 1st grade, ultra grade, and tear drops...all are based on the coloration and pattern of the mantel...

The best way of learning the differences is looking at pics over and over and over....barry at clams direct has excapmpls of all the sellable species of trinacteds for sale...just click on maximas and look at them, then click over to croceas and look at them and you will see the difference in the shell and mantle pattern....just saturate yourself with pics of each species thats the best way to learn....

 

[jay24k]

This should help. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/jf/feature/index.htm

 

[masterswimmer]

Thanks for your help. That article was great, thanks again.

Russ