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Want a new clam that will do well and not clam up

post #1 of 4
10/16/11 at 2:36pm
Thread Starter 

Would like to get a clam for my 90gal. Would someone kindly answer a few questions for me? I never had a clam.

Here's some info: 90gal(24" high)

                          2-175MH lights and 2 96w pcs

                          Calcium 450

                          Magnesium 1100

                          DKH            8

                          Tank 9yrs old

                          4 power heads

          Inhabitants: Gobie & Pistol shrimp

                            Yellow Tang

                            Clown

                            Cleaner shrimp

                            Snails, Hermits

                            Baby starfish(1/2")

                            Different corals

1. Is lighting ok?

2. Will inhabitants bother clam?

3. What kind of water movement do they like and where should I place it?

4.Any feeding requirements?

5. Can you recommend a clam type and size?

 

Thanks for the help.

            

 

 

 

 

 

                 

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post #2 of 4
10/17/11 at 4:38pm

Whatever clam you get, get at least a 3" specimen.  Babies can be a bit touchy and to do best, should be "bowl fed" or at least target fed live phytoplankton with a feeding cap.

 

With your lighting, you can keep pretty much any of the Tridacnids, but the best beginner clam is T. derasa.  T. crocea is the touchiest, and has the finest gill structure, which can become clogged if your tank is prone to sandstorms (from fish or current).  Speaking of current, clams don't do well in super strong current...if your clams mantle does more than the occasional gentle "lifting" due to current, it's likely too strong and the clam won't open.

 

Placement is important too, as IMHO you should keep the clams as they're found in the wild as follows:

 

Sandbed clams:

 

T. derasa, T. squamosa, T. gigas

 

Rockdwelling clams:

 

T. maxima, T. crocea

 

Clams have a fully developed digestive system, and IME/IMHO they do best when fed live phyto 2 or 3 times a week in addition to getting plenty of light so they can feed off the products of their zooxanthellae's photosythesis.

 

HTH

 

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post #3 of 4
10/17/11 at 4:58pm

Squamosa would be my suggestion, at least 3".

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post #4 of 4
10/17/11 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you so much for taking the time answer. Your input was most helpful.

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