I just got two new beautiful maximas from pacific east. They are good size, about 6" and 5". I have them on rocks on the sand bed in low flow. I have other clams that I've had a long time that are doing great. One squamosa that is approaching a foot long. I've not had a maxima before. I just want to make sure they are doing ok. The mantle is extended but only just beyond the white edge of the shell. I see lots of pictures online of establishes maximas with mantles extended much further. They are quick and rapid responders to shadows of passing fish. They are not gaping or anything and are pest free. Is it normal for them to take several days to really light acclimate? They are in a 220 gallon under 5 panels of reef breeder full spectrum LEDs running about 80% blue and 30% white 8 hours with 2 hours either side of just 80% blue. Thanks for any insight.
Two new maximas
- Thread starter gablett
- Start date
Are they wild? I talked with Dr Mac and he stated three things several times so they must be a big deal. 1st was wild clams don't have mantle extension like maricultured clams. Some have more than others, but don't get freaked out if they don't extend like you think they should. 2nd was intense light. Really really intense. 3rd was a high fish load, he repeated this in every conversation - the people with success with wild caught maximas have high fish populations.
If you disagree take it up with him, not me! Those are his words.
I did pick up two wild guys from their special. Looking good so far. Not tons of extension, as expected, but the colors are fantastic.
If you disagree take it up with him, not me! Those are his words.
I did pick up two wild guys from their special. Looking good so far. Not tons of extension, as expected, but the colors are fantastic.
Well then mine must be doing just fine. Mine look about exactly like the ones you pictured as to mantle extension. Its fine with me, they look great I just wanted to make sure they were healthy. I have some aquacultured divers den clams next to them and while SUBSTANTIALLY smaller they open more. It seems maximas dont open as much as other clams to me too. I have an about 12" squamosa that the mantle just about touches the sand. I was worried maybe they were in too strong of light which is why they werent extending but now believe that is not the truth and they are getting a ton of light. They are in a little cove in my rock work that gets blasted with light and very gentle flow so they should do good.
Do most people leave them on rocks down near the sand bed or do people move them up over time? I have 5 - 160 watt reefbreeder LED fixtures over my 220.
I need to get the good camera and the macro lens out once they settle in and get some pictures and the LEDs mess with my phone camera. I do have to say they are very large and very pretty.
I leave them on the bottom only because they are pretty heavy at 6" long and it's hard to find a rock spot that is secure for them when they open and close. That big of clam falling is pretty bad news. Once they get to that size I have found they don't really attach anymore. At least the few 5-6" maximas I have have never attached to anything.
I cant get them to attach either. The much smaller 2" DD ones I got attached within hours.
Stevenliu9
New member
Really nice! just curious are they the Pac East "our pick" special clams or the WYSWYG clams?
artisson62
New member
hello I am jealous because your three clams are very beautiful. What size are they ?
The fat one with the good extension is a bit over 6 inches, the other two are around 5.5" give or take. I did measure them not too long ago, but forgot already. The 6" one is about twice the weight of the others though.
Well in bad new both of mine died. Both were doing fine opening during the day, albeit not a ton but I was told that was normal. Woke up in the morning and 1 was gapping and unresponsive, 3 days later the other one did the same thing. The second one was opening great, much more than the other one. I checked the shells, no predators, and nothing was picking on them. I guess that was my first and last experiment with wild caught clams. All the other clams in my tank are doing great. Bummed.
Sad for clams all around. I made another topic, but my tangs wrecked my maximas in the photo above. The wild ones took the damage better, but I doubt they will make it. The fat one I had for a long time there will soon have a place on the fireplace as it had started gaping this morning.
Maybe I missed it above, but do you know how much PAR the clams were getting from the lights? Also, whats your no3/po4 levels and how often do you feed?
