what do you all look for in a healthy clam?

[unbreakable]

i went to my lfs, a crappy one, and i noticed they had 2 clams. not sure what kind. it was the first time theyve ever had any. im pretty sure theyre under pc lighting there. i have a 250w, 14k bulb for my 28 with 130w pc lights, and a 70w mh 10k for my 10, so keeping one shouldnt be a problem, i just need to read more before getting one. are they really delicate when transporting? the "tissue" looks really delicate and was just wondering.

 

[unbreakable]

oh and what do you look for when purchasing one?

 

[bassettmd]

No snails of any kind on the bottom of the clam, good coloration, quick rxn time to hand blocking light, no bad algae on on the side of the shell...

 

[a4twenty]

find out what type they are first, a gigas wouldn't do to good in a 28 or a 10 as the grow quite quick, others have a higher mortality rate based on size , etc ......

you want to look for good mantle extension ( this varies by species ), solid color ( no bleached or white spots ), fast reaction time ( when a fish or your hand moves over top ) and unwanted hitch hikers.


HTH

 

[unbreakable]

the tissue looked like it was dull in color but it meant to have been some type of blue. it reminds m eof this one: http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/863/75001407.JPG[/URL]

does the tissue coloration depend on the lighting? and if its not at its full color will it recover if placed with higher lighting like MH? it's not a giga, looked like a crocea or maxima

 

[a4twenty]

clams will look dull when viewed from the side, did you look down from directly above?

the color we see is a direct reaction to the light provided.

it should recover when correctly acclimatized to better or stronger light but there are no guarantees

 

[unbreakable]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10353019#post10353019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by a4twenty
clams will look dull when viewed from the side, did you look down from directly above?

the color we see is a direct reaction to the light provided.

it should recover when correctly acclimatized to better or stronger light but there are no guarantees

ah okay. the clam was in a holding tank that was way taller than me so i could only see the side. how long do you you drip acclimate for?