Cleaner Clams from Grocery Store

[phoenixfla]

I have a few questions for those who have had success with purchasing cleaner clams at the grocery store.
1. Were the clams you purchased on ice in the store or were they in some kind of tank of water. The ones at our stores are on ice, and while I imagine they are alive, I do not know how they could survive being so cold and then returning back to normal.
2. If they were on ice at the store, did you a) just drop them in your tank b) allow them to warm to your tank temperature and then drop them or c) acclimate them as you would any other fish or clam?
3. Did you place them on top of the sand and if so did they bury themselves under the sand. How long did that take?
4. Finally – what is the survival rate? If I bought 12, can I expect ½ to live?
Thanks to everyone in advance.

 

[volunteerg]

I just bought a dozen little neck clams from the grocery store for $.34 each.
They were on ice when I bought them but had assurance from the fish department that they were alive. In fact when I mentioned to him that I was planning to put them into my tank he looked for the most healthy of the clams he had.
When I brought them home, I placed them into a large bowl of tank water. After about 5 minutes they began to "spit". At that point I placed them into the tank.
Within 24-36 hours all the clams had buried themselves into the sandbed. Every so often you'll see a puff of sand come up. That's the only way you would know there is something under the sand!

 

[mbowker]

The are on ice, bag them and bring home this will allow the temp tocome up some. Then put them in a bowl of your tank water. They will start to open shortly. You will notice them "burp". they spit out the stored water and take in new water. They will start to move themselves around by way of a small tongue looking "foot" once they start moving around put them into the tank or sump. They will soon disappear. You will not see them again. just every once in a while a small burst of sand particles will shoot up from the area. they are cleaning out the little tubes they feed through. THATS IT. no more nitrates

 

[volunteerg]

oh and as far as survival rates of the 13 I bought, only 1 never spit and I simply tossed him.

 

[mbowker]

sorry

 

[jmick]

I am no expert here but I believe these clams come from colder water (pacific) and are not suited for reef tanks. I think they are doomed and I’d be really worried about this animal dying and rotting in your sand bed.

 

[madison]

the long or little necks (whatever they are called) is 90% alive at the supermarket...something to do with selling live clams (FDA)
The only problems I had with them is that you will not know when they die...they bury themselves when they are alive but they never come up before they die...
I have had some die and caused a ammonia and nitrate spike...it's not fun trying to find all of them and try to figure out which ones are alive or dead...especially in a 300g with about 300lbs of LR

 

[pfitz44]

How deep is everyones sandbed??? ive been contiplating doing this for a little while now... If theyre dead, will the hermits eventually find them and have a little feast???

 

[mbowker]

I have had them in my tank for a few years. If any die they usually surface first and the proper clean up crew takes care of itt before I can. I have never had an ounce of trouble with this. However the benefits of zero nitrates is incredible. i have 16 or so in the sump. 150 gallon main dispaly with a 125 gal refugium/sump in the basement.

 

[madison]

How deep is everyones sandbed??? ive been contiplating doing this for a little while now... If theyre dead, will the hermits eventually find them and have a little feast???
3 to 4 inches...depending on the mood of the dragon goby

The other way I knew some died by seeing worms and nassarius snails gather in one spot...but if they are full and another dies... :thinking:
I monitor my levels 2x's a day...once before leaving for work and as soon as I get home...
If any die they usually surface first and the proper clean up crew takes care of itt before I can. I have never had an ounce of trouble with this
Never had a dead one surface in 3 years...maybe you are just lucky :cheer:

 

[lockemup]

What about putting them in an area of the sump they can not bury themselves in?

 

[phoenixfla]

My sand bed in my tank is about 2 inches deep, however the sand bed in my fuge is about 3 inches. I am planning to put them in the refugium.
I would think you would want your sand deep enough that they can completely bury themselves in it, as they would in nature.
I bought 24 today (12 for my 125 gallon tank in the refugium and 12 in my 135 gallon tank in the display (it has no fuge)).
I will keep everyone posted on how it goes. Should I take pictures?

 

[pfitz44]

Please!!

 

[crzyfshygy]

This is weird :thinking: How many clams would be right for a 65gl to achieve 0 nitrates?

 

[volunteerg]

My sand is between 3-4" also depending on how the goby is feeling that day.
My understanding is that it is 1 clam per 5 gallons.

 

[rappa]

What do you use, just regular "Steamers"?

 

[phoenixfla]

Originally Posted by Rappa
What do you use, just regular "Steamers"?
I purchased "little neck clams" they are about 1 1/2 inch across. That is what others were using on other posts.
I dont know if clams would be effective to get nitrates down to 0, but I figured if they help, why not try.

 

[bergamer]

I have had store bought clams in my tank for well over a year and my buddy for 3 or so years.
I have had a few die and they always seems to surface when they are dying.

 

[phoenixfla]

Well I got them home and put them in a bucket. They immdiately started spitting water. Then then put out their output tube, some as long as an inch. I added 12 to the fuge of my 125 and 12 directly in my 135. I left them on top of the sand so if they die I will know and be able to pull them out. The hermits found them facinating and the 12 clams in the 135 had 16 hermits on them. They quickly lost interest though and moved on. As of tonight none have started to burrow under the sand.
I'll update tomorrow.

 

[angelofish]

I'm planning on adding some to my tank. I want to know if its possible for them to release any stored gas from the sand bed when they burrow themselves. I dont want to cause any problems in the 55gal. :thinking: