Why isn't my Maxima growing?

[Diehl]

I have had my Blue Maxima for 8 months now and it still has not attached to anything and has not shown any growth? I know they are slow growers but not one little bit of new growth around his shell? Just wanted some opinions? My Calcium is 450 and Alk is 10 DKH. Also he is under Duel 14K 250watt HQI's

 

[Peabody]

How big is he? Are you feeding him any live phyto?

 

[Diehl]

He is 4 inches so no I don't feed him very much. Marine snow once in awhile for him and my SPS

 

[Peabody]

I'd try a little phyto (DTs). Marine snow has been shown to contain no nutritional value in studies, so maybe he's not getting any food?

 

[Peabody]

Another thought...what kind of test kits are you using? Have you checked your salinity with a refractometer?

 

[Diehl]

I only use Salifert kits and yes I use a Refractometer. I was feeding DT's when I got him from Clams Direct but he said it really was'nt necessary because of his size. Plus I only run a Skimmer for filtration and run carbon once in awhile so there should be stuff in the water

 

[Peabody]

That is preplexing. I'm stumped! Maybe someone else will chime in.....

 

[dragon_slayer]

IME clams grow in stages with one stage being growing larger, and another adding mass to the shell. around 4" size is one of the thickening of the shells stages.

i thought two of my derasa had stopped growing till i picked one of them up and noticed that it had more then doubled in weight.

also your lighting should provide the clam (at it's size) with 99% of what it needs to grow.

hth
kc

 

[Diehl]

IME clams grow in stages with one stage being growing larger, and another adding mass to the shell. around 4" size is one of the thickening of the shells stages.

i thought two of my derasa had stopped growing till i picked one of them up and noticed that it had more then doubled in weight.

also your lighting should provide the clam (at it's size) with 99% of what it needs to grow.

hth
kc

Thanks Dragon Slayer You know mine does feel heaver then when I bought him. He looks very healthy except he won't attach to anything I've placed under him? Is it possible some clams never attach

 

[dragon_slayer]

it's very possible. most clams that are very small will attach to help keep them upright, larger clams do not attach. with 4" size it's sorta hit/miss if they will or wont.

some also have damaged byssal threads and cant attach.

kc

 

[Barry N.]

Marine snow has been shown to contain no nutritional value in studies

I like to use Dt's or KoralVit F and the clams seem to respond well to it.

Feeding and not feeding has been a on going debate since before the 1950s but most articles and research indicates that a clam that size receive 80% of their required energy form photosynthesis.

KC

IME clams grow in stages with one stage being growing larger, and another adding mass to the shell. around 4" size is one of the thickening of the shells stages.

I totally agree.

Also some clams will never attach as they depend on their weight to hold them down.