clam care

rainbow grouper

rainbow grouper

Active Member
ok so I just got a clam today
I do know a bit about them the supplements and such like but I do want to know much more about them to give him better chance of survival any help greatly appreciated thanks
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by rainbow grouper http:///forum/thread/387190/clam-care#post_3404762
ok so I just got a clam today
I do know a bit about them the supplements and such like but I do want to know much more about them to give him better chance of survival any help greatly appreciated thanks
The care for each of the species is different so first off we need to know what type of Clam you purchased.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Can you post a picture? I can probably tell what the species is from a good picture.
Tell us about the tank and the lighting.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
A dying Clam will be slow to react to close when a shadow goes over. It's intake will be slack (gaping).
A dead clam will be wide open and the flesh will begin to pull from the shell. At this stage you'll see Nassarius Snails and Bristle Worms feeding on the carcass.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by rainbow grouper http:///forum/thread/387190/clam-care#post_3405125
p.s clam has not opened as yet how long does it take for a clam to recover after travel also I thinks its a crocea clam
If the Clam was packed dry for travel and kept warm then it should only take a few minutes to recover. If it was packed in a bag with water or it got cold then it may take several hours.
Crocea are the most light demanding of the Clams. It will require high energy in terms of waterflow and lighting.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by rainbow grouper http:///forum/thread/387190/clam-care#post_3404762
ok so I just got a clam today
I do know a bit about them the supplements and such like but I do want to know much more about them to give him better chance of survival any help greatly appreciated thanks
More important that adding supplements is your overall water quality/health of the tank. A clam usually won't do well in a new aquarium, or one that doesn't have ideal water conditions. They don't do well with quick changes in salinity or temperature and also do not like high nitrate levels (or nitrite or ammonia). Established aquariums are the best for a clam. Certain fish, especially angels can really irritate a clam, so you also need to consider other inhabitants in the tank. Usually good water quality and regular scheduled water changes is enough for a clams health. You need to make sure that your calcium levels stay above 400ppm.
Depending on which type of clam you get (there are multiple species of "Giant Clams", will depend on its care. Certain clams, such as the Derasa's like to be in the sand and do not require the intense lighting that others do. Maxima's prefer to be in the rock work, or in the sand at the base of rock work and require intense lighting (unless under 2.5", then you have to be careful with initial intense lighting).
 
rainbow grouper

rainbow grouper

Active Member
ok btldreef I am a marine biologist but i have not been one for long only 1 month but do know my stuff anyway thanks for the advice my tank has been established for 6 months but I have a problem the person I got it from had abnormally high salinity levels 1.030 but I did float him and I put a little bit of my tank water in the bag every now and then as my salinity is 1.025 and my clam seems to be doing ok except he is not open
 
J

jackie dh

Guest
I have a crocea clam in my 55 reef, got him off E you know what bay, he spent around 15 hours in a box getting to me and he was open with in a few minutes. It hasn't been a difficult clam at all for me so far, I have VHO T5's only and it is doing great, I've seen new growth in the shell so they can be kept with out metal halides. I'm a slacker with water changes too, but then I've always heard that clams like the water a little "dirty".
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/387190/clam-care#post_3405238
More important that adding supplements is your overall water quality/health of the tank. A clam usually won't do well in a new aquarium, or one that doesn't have ideal water conditions. They don't do well with quick changes in salinity or temperature and also do not like high nitrate levels (or nitrite or ammonia). Established aquariums are the best for a clam. Certain fish, especially angels can really irritate a clam, so you also need to consider other inhabitants in the tank. Usually good water quality and regular scheduled water changes is enough for a clams health. You need to make sure that your calcium levels stay above 400ppm.
Depending on which type of clam you get (there are multiple species of "Giant Clams", will depend on its care. Certain clams, such as the Derasa's like to be in the sand and do not require the intense lighting that others do. Maxima's prefer to be in the rock work, or in the sand at the base of rock work and require intense lighting (unless under 2.5", then you have to be careful with initial intense lighting).
you beat me yet again.....and IMO I would use caution or explain the OP what supplements to add and what to supplements to avoid as some can hurt/kill the clam. IME.
 
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