zooxanthellae question

[Tridacna Maxima]

Does anyone know if tridacnids pass zooxanthellae to their offspring when they spawn? Many corals pass on a "starter pack" of zooxanthellae, but I am wondering if the same is true about giant clams. Any good links for more info?

 

[drock59]

Not sure but it would make sense, dont you think.

 

[namscam]

Actually corals dont pass on any zooanthellae to their offspring....I believe when the coral is in its larval form the photosynthetic symbiont enter the larva.... because if they did pass on a start pack of zooanthellae then the zooanthellae would have the same genetic makeup but at times they wont... and the offspring will have differnet zooanthellae from parents...when the organism loses its zooanthellae , they do not regain it back...which is one of the problems with the reef because of pollution and other factors corals are losing their zooanthellae in the wild....but any wayz, that is how zooanthellae is aquired by corals... but with clams I believe tho not 100% positive but the same process of aquiring clams would apply...plus its pretty hard to mate clams in your tank so y even worry

 

[Tridacna Maxima]

A friend of mine is one of only 8 people in the US who spawns Mercenary mercenary commmercially for food purposes. Spawning the Tridacnas in an aquarium is the easy part, but finding a practical way to introduce zooxanthellae, if necessary, has been placed in my hands. I can't find any solid research stating whether some clams pass on zooxanthellae or if not, how to physically place the zooxanthellae into the system. Any links would be appreciated.

 

[manderx]

i've read in several threads here that clam breeders snip off a piece of a big clam's mantle and run it through a blender to supply baby clams with zooxanthellae.