why does clams change their colors when seen from above?

[Leopardshark]

Hello guys, I think the title says it all.
I have a green emerald maxima that if you see it from the sides of my tank will look blue, but if you see it from above it will look emerald green.
Now my questions are:

Why does clams change their color depending from where you see them?.
Is viewing from above the best way to look at clams?
How do you guys place your clams in your tanks in order to look their best colors? or you just keep moving your canopie to see them everytime?
Thanks pals!!

 

[holeinone1972]

It is simply the way the light reflects of the clams pigmentation. Kinda like a cat's eyes. Clams are much more beautiful from above for sure.

If you have strong enough lighting place them a little lower in the tank and tilt them forward just a little. This will usually give you the best look without standing above your canopy.

Or get a custom built tank with a clam viewing panel that is tilted at 45 degrees so you can look straight down on your clams, now that would be nice. Rob

 

[Thorsx]

if you have a glass tank, the iron pigments in the glass could cause the color shift.

 

[Leopardshark]

Holeinone, that has got to be a great idea!!
I will have my hood made and a mirror instaled @ 45Ã"šÃ‚° so I can see the clams any time.
I have a 28" height tank, the clams are about 15-20 below the water surface so enough light from my 250 ushio watters can get to them, so I will tilt them just a little bit.
Thanks guys.
BTW my tank is glass made, so that must be another reason for the color change, does acrylic tanks doesnÃ"šÃ‚´t change their colors?

 

[holeinone1972]

I do not believe glass is any different than acrylic when coming to viewing clams. I have a 240 reef for my personal tank, and the clams in my personal tank still look better from above, than thru the acrylic. The mirror idea is cool, if it does not blind you! If you do it, make sure you post some pics. Rob