Flame Scallop

[matt2364]

I got this beautiful flame scallop from saltwaterfish.com a few months ago. It seems to be doing great so far. Every week or so it will move to a new spot, stay put for a few days and then move again. I love waking up and seeing him in a totally different spot. My question is, what do I need to do to sustain this creature. I have heard that they are very difficult to keep in captivity and want to make sure I am doing everything possible to keep him alive and healthy. I am currently dosing phyto-feast for him and maintain calc and alk so his shell can build up.
Any other recommendations? Is there anything I could directly feed him?

 

[florida joe]

Flame Scallops will do well in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (23 to 26 degrees Celsius) and in water that has a pH value of 8.3 or 8.4. The pH value should be held constant. The specific gravity should remain between 1.023 and 1.025. Calcium should be maintained at a good level in the aquarium. Flame Scallops do not tolerate high nitrate levels. Flame Scallops are not aggressive and can be kept with a variety of other animals, so long as tank mates do not harm the scallops. Because they eat micro-plankton or other micro-organisms filtered from the water, Flame Scallops will do best when kept in mature reef tanks. They can be supplemented with micro-plankton, offered near the scallop with a pipette or a similar implement. Food may also be placed in a water current that will flow toward the scallop. Any feeding should be limited to very small amounts since the wasted food will degrade the water quality of the aquarium. Too much food may also be more than the scallop can handle.