Beginner help with clams

rknapp

rknapp

Member
Hi everyone. I want to by a ora derasa clam but don't know anything about them. I have a 90 gal reef tank that's been up for about 9 years with no problems. I have a clown, yellow tang, gobie, some snails, cleaner shrimp, about 15 tiny baby star fish(the mother died I think but left me with babies about 1/2" across, some hermit crabs and corals. I have 2-175w metal halide lamps and 2 96w power compacts. Could someone please tell me if I would be able to keep the clam with these guys? I don't want to see it killed if I buy it. Also where do you position it and how do you care for it? Thanks for any help you can give me.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
The Derasa clam is supposed to be a good beginner clam....it does not require as much light as the others, BUT still requires excellent water parameters and calcium...it also should go on the sand
WHat is your calcium and other paramters in your tank?
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
I've read in multiple places that clams under 3" need to be supplemented and fed directly. This is what I did with my Derasa and am currently doing with my maxima. I use reef snow personally, however people use different products, choose which one works best for your tank.
 
rknapp

rknapp

Member
Do you think any of my fish or critters would pick on the clam? If I put in in the sand bed right under 1 metal halide do you think I'd have enough light? Do clams like strong current or a weak current? How often would I feed it? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure if I get one I can give it proper care.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I don't believe the fish you listed would pick on a clam at all. You need to feed it 3-5 times a week with a direct feeding of DT's phytoplankton or live greenwater when you can. It's best to use a turkey baster, turn off all the water flow, and squirt it slowly in the direction of the clam. Keep the powerheads off for about 10 minutes or so to let the clam feed. I would also supplement the tank 3 times a week with DT's for your other corals.
Clams under 4" have a hard time staying alive in home aquaria because they lack enough mantle area to produce most of their own food, without very much supplemental feedings. It's good to feed clams as much as your filters can handle.
I plan on getting a small clam, and do continuous feedings of live phytoplankton in my 20g nano. That's coming up in the coming months. Check out my build thread if you are interested.
 
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