What happens if you don't feed?

[Sloth]

All this talk about the need to feed small clams (under 2.5" right?) I'm wondering if you need to feed larger clams at all. Does a 3"+ clam depend solely on light? I understand that feeding a clam this size wouldn't hurt, but is it necessary? Assume adequate light is provided and the tank has a very light bioload and water doesn't have much plankton.

Yeah, I searched. No, I didn't find the answer.

 

[derrikd]

i have 4 clams now i got all them 3+ so i had a better chance with them i have them for a year now and it seems evey time i look at them they are getting bigger... i do not feed them. i have them under MH/VHO. and i can see them filter feeding something. but i do not add any thing extra. hope this helps...

 

[Fish-o-holic]

Some people don't feed their clams and some do. I am one of those that do. My thinking is that since you paid so much money for a clam, why not take the extra step to ensure it lives healthier and grows quicker just by feeding it? Other filter feeders would appreciate the extra food as well. I would use DT's if you decide to give feeding a shot.

However if you don't have a protein skimmer running, the extra nutrience can be removed by doing water changes. Hope this helped a bit.

 

[Sloth]

Thanks guys. I'm planning to get a clam in the future and I just didn't want something I would have to feed every day. The way I am, though, I will probably end up over-feeding the thing anyway. But whatever I get needs to be OK to go without food for as much as a week at a time.

 

[Fish-o-holic]

A week at a time for clams should be okay. Just don't let it be too frequent. I feed my clam every other day; 3 times a week. Be sure to turn off your skimmer while feeding the tank.

 

[onegreenray]

i have to agree with Fish-o-holic. i feed my clams everyother day. he is write since you paid so much for them why not take that extra step. would you forget to feed your fish, even though they could find something to eat in the tank. just my outlook on the subject. happy clam keeping.

 

[firechild]

Clams with a full population of zooxanthellae gain 80% of their nutrient needs from the zoox. Then there is the DOM that they absorb as well as particulate matter already in the tank that they eat. This means that it is possible for clams to get all their nutrient needs without direct feeding. I do not feed any of my clams and they are growing faster than I would like so I see no need to feed them.

 

[dragon_slayer]

daily feedings

daily feedings

i feed my tanks daily with ESV Spray Dried Phytoplankton and all my clams are doing great and growing nicely.

i keep my maxima under 800w of MH and my Derasa under 220w PC.

kc

 

[onegreenray]

quick question on dersa. i just got first one. if it is extentiong its mantle like a half inch past shell, is that good? looks healthy. have it about 16" under 250watt mh ushio 10k. it has also in the last two days attached to some near by rocks.

 

[dragon_slayer]

quick question on dersa. i just got first one. if it is extentiong its mantle like a half inch past shell, is that good? looks healthy. have it about 16" under 250watt mh ushio 10k. it has also in the last two days attached to some near by rocks.

i have always heard that clams are to be in an "open" position, but not "gapeing".

IME the derasa are more along the lines of gapeing then just being open, there mantle usualy stays extended well past the shell.

my derasa is kept under 220w of pc in a 29gal reef and and my maxima's are under 800w of MH in a 75gal reef. the maxima's open and the derasa gapes. it may be a lack of light, but i dont think it is, as most pics of the derasa's i'v seen look very much the same as mine when they are open.

here is a link that may be helpful as well.
http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/derasa.htm

kc

 

[onegreenray]

it looks fine, from what the pics show. it isn't gapping one bit. thansk for the info.