Weird growth pattern on a crocea

[darkdruid]

I've had this clam for over a year and it's not growing like normal. Instead of growing in a fan shape, it's growing across getting more and more flat. Mantle extension and color are great, it just weird shell growth. Any ideas as to why? Crappy pic but you get the idea.

 

[darkdruid]

Instead of flattened and fan shaped, it is round like a baseball.

 

[JAustin]

wierd. Looks like that new species of clam discovered. Maybe you got one of those by chance.

 

[Cracken]

looks like t. costata i believe

 

[JAustin]

nevermind the tridacnid costata is diff.

 

[darkdruid]

This is what it looks like when it's open, it's a super good looking clam, just different.

 

[YoungReefer06]

WOW that is a beauty!

 

[darkdruid]

Thanks!

 

[DSR]

Man, that is incredible. How big is it?

 

[darkdruid]

It was about 1 1/2" when I got it close to two years ago, it's around 3" now. It seemed to grow alot slower than other croceas that I've had, but then I realized it was growing round and not fan shaped. It's a lot better looking in person, the camera washed out the greens and purples in it. It's the only time I've ever seen one grow round. My derasa grows normally, so I have no idea what caused it.

 

[ludiNano]

awsome thanks for sharing.

 

[PapaKlix]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15376441#post15376441 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by darkdruid
This is what it looks like when it's open, it's a super good looking clam, just different.

awesome, where did you get it? i want one!

 

[darkdruid]

My local LFS, a place called The Coral Reef. With a name like that, they have to be good....lol. I think I paid $39.99 for it.

 

[cakemanPA]

Awesome clam. That is very funky looking

 

[MM WI]

The shape the clam grows in will change with his health and the calcium chemistry and other water parameters. I remember a deresa a friend had that was growing like mad the first year. Then he started having trouble keeping his calcium chemistry in line. The clam kept growing but it did something similiar to what you are describing. It started growing in rounder shape and slower. Any health set back can do similiar as the shell growth requires growth of the flesh and then setting down of layer after layer of shell. So it is more complex than a single factor. Your clam may have had a set back out side of your control or there may be some parameter you need to maintain better. Years latter when the now huge clam died you could see how the growth rate and shape would change with the tank conditions. When he got the parameters under control the growth went back to normal. made for an odd looking shell after death.

- mark

 

[darkdruid]

It could be my water parameters off somewhere, but my derasa is normal.
SG 1.025
Calcium 450
Alk 9.6
Ph 8.3
Mag 1380
Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate - undetectable
Temp 78
Lights 14k DE 250 watt HQI

 

[MM WI]

your parameters look great. Maybe too good for a clam?

Your clam will most likely be fine but the growth patteren indicates something not ideal for him.

- mark

 

[ludiNano]

i've never heard of shell growth changing because of water chemistry.

I would like to here of more examples from anyone if you could.

I always thought if the Cal/Alk/Mag was off, then growth would just be slowed.

 

[darkdruid]

My derasa is out growing the crocea two to one, but then, derasas always out grow croceas two to one. To me, if it was water chemistry, the derasa would show some sign of a problem since he's growing faster and has a higher intake of elements in the water, and he's normal. And the crocea is more than just a round shell, it has the longest mantle extension of any clam I've ever seen when it's wide open, almost leafy. It's not starved for light, it's straight down, 14" under water from a 250HQI, 4" off the surface.

 

[darkdruid]

Hey ludiNano.....Koralia- 1, 2, 3 + 500 gph return+ 2200 GPH Maxi Jet mod + 29g = Wicked flow? You need to get a good lawyer, it's just a matter of time before one of your corals sues you for whiplash!!!