What species coral does T. crocea naturally bore into?

[Gary Majchrzak]

T. crocea is also known as the 'Boring Clam', and NOT because it is uninteresting!
I venture to guess they usually occur in massive heads of Faviids {or similar species}in the wild. Would somebody that is knowledgable on this matter please post the species of coral preferred by these Tridacniid's?
Some large 'closed brain corals' have sweepers that may harm a clam imbedded in it's skeleton.
I am also wondering if anyone has routed out a niche in one of their massive live corals in which to place a clam.
Does T. maxima drill into coral skeletons as well?
Any and all help, pics, links etc. are appreciated! Thanks!

 

[holeinone1972]

Gary,

Very interesting question. I have never seen a clam bore into a live coral, although I am sure it happens. I have seen alot of pictures of Crocea's boring into dead coral skeletons, and live rock though.

I do doubt that they have any kind of symbiotic relationship with any specific coral. I will keep my eyes open to see if I can find any specifics on it though.

I assume any coral that would be non-aggressive would be fine though.

Best of luck, and great question, Rob

 

[ToddinAtl]

Gary,

I bought this coral about 8 months ago...all I noticed was that it had a hole in the middle of it...Later that night I noticed that there was a mantle coming out of the hole...I don't know how this clam is growing inside the coral, but the mantle comes out app 1/2" everyday. At night the mantle goes in and the coral completely swells up and extends it's tenacles to the point that the hole is not even visable.

This pic is dark, but the mantle is a bright purple/blue color...I don't know if it is a T. crocea or not..I'm curious to see how it develops, so far the visible portion of the mantle has doubled in size with no visable negative effect on the coral...

Todd

 

[holeinone1972]

Todd,

That is a very interesting picture indeed. If you happen to get a more clear photo, please re-post. O yeah don't forget to go back to the store and pay for your clam!!!:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[smokinreefer]

hey gary,
fwiw...when i was in fiji, i did not see any clams bored in live sps. only in live rock. so from my experience, i would say they probably arent commonly found in live sps. just my observation.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Gary,

...I don't know if it is a T. crocea or not..
Todd

Todd, sorry to disappoint you, but the bivalve in your coral is not a T. crocea- or even a Tridacniid for that matter! I remember having one of those critters once long ago imbedded in a Faviid.....but I cannot for the life of me recall the name of it. {Help please, anyone!} Thanks for the replies, folks!

 

[firechild]

Gary,
I have seen hundreds of boring clams (T. maxima and T. crocea) in the wild. I would say around 99% were embedded in rock, not coral, the other 1% were in large heads of Porites, particularly P. lobata but this was probably because this was by far the dominant Porites species in the areas.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Ahhhh....now we're getting somewhere.Thanks for that EXCELLENT firsthand information, firechild. It makes sense that the few clams that are in live coral are in Porites- essentially a 'weak' {stinging defense} coral. THANK YOU AGAIN!

 

[firechild]

Gary,
I think it may be due to the fact that the clam attaches to a rock and is then surrounded by encrusting Porites. This is true for many of the species of invertebrates that live in corals, particularly Porites. The larvae are unable to settle directly onto corals, even those that seem relatively weak.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Yes- this is what I surmised. Tridacna larvae are probably consumed by Porites in great numbers.
Once in a while I see a wild clam imported with the surrounding rock in place. I'm sure we could duplicate this with farm raised clams.