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View Full Version : New to Maxima Clams...need advice asap


capspath83
01/16/2014, 12:22 PM
Hello All,

So I have upgraded my lights to MH from CF and decided I would like to keep a maxima clam. At first I had it on a ledge midway in the tank and it stayed there for a few days fully open and looked like it was loving life..then I saw it beginning to open and close to propel itself and its foot start moving closer to the edge...I let it be until the next morning when I woke up and saw it mantle down in my sandbed. I quickly turned it upright again and grabbed a piece of flat liverock from my sump to wedge in the sand for it to rest on. It has stayed there for anout a week and now I am noticing it move off again and into the sandbed. Should I just leave it be? I am worried about sand getting into its valves..

here is a recent pic:

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y413/capspath83/BB48668D-AFD2-402B-8B34-0F6667AB9928_zps6i6bj97q.jpg (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/capspath83/media/BB48668D-AFD2-402B-8B34-0F6667AB9928_zps6i6bj97q.jpg.html)

capspath83
01/16/2014, 01:55 PM
He has now moved to the following position

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y413/capspath83/4AF9B0BE-4A38-41BC-8C30-85A739A5F768_zpsnndxqklr.jpg (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/capspath83/media/4AF9B0BE-4A38-41BC-8C30-85A739A5F768_zpsnndxqklr.jpg.html)

Is this ok?? should I put him back on the rock??

Will he dig down further?

NYCBOB
01/16/2014, 03:57 PM
leave it on the sandbed.

ryeguyy84
01/16/2014, 04:04 PM
I had the same question, I've been moving mine around for weeks haha. I thought the maxima's were light hungry? can they survive long term on the sandbed?

capspath83
01/16/2014, 04:23 PM
leave it on the sandbed.

Thanks NYCBOB. What I have been reading is that Maximas are rock dwelling clams, so that's why I was worried.

As long is it will be ok and will not sufficate from the sand in its valves, then I will leave it be.

aandfsoccr04
01/16/2014, 05:27 PM
Had mine on the sand for over a year and it's fine.

fishroomlady
01/16/2014, 07:31 PM
I would let it do its thing :) it seems like it's settling in.

kga943
01/16/2014, 08:09 PM
mine is in the sand and all the ones at my lfs are in the sand

robotman
01/17/2014, 03:18 AM
He has now moved to the following position

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y413/capspath83/4AF9B0BE-4A38-41BC-8C30-85A739A5F768_zpsnndxqklr.jpg (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/capspath83/media/4AF9B0BE-4A38-41BC-8C30-85A739A5F768_zpsnndxqklr.jpg.html)

Is this ok?? should I put him back on the rock??

Will he dig down further?

had mine on the sand for almost 2 months, but its attached to a small flat piece of lr, it just sitsup right, hardly ever moves

cakemanPA
01/17/2014, 06:47 AM
My golden teardrop maxima is on the sand. In fact all the max's that it have had over the years preferred sand to rock. I would not move it. They seem to find a spot they like on their own for the most part

RA
01/17/2014, 07:15 AM
I copied this from the Clam Forum.

Many people claim that Croceas and Maximas can survive under power compact lighting. These cases are far and few between, but there are certain individuals that are able to tolerate lower lightings, at which most of their counterparts would not be able to survive. Nevertheless, you should not take the risk and hope to get lucky, it is better to be prepared to give them what they will surely thrive in. It is always good to provide at least enough light of the given species to thrive in, and NOT the bare minimum you think you can get by with. Plus, it is the least we can do for our animal, as well as our responsibility as hobbyist.

Portsie
01/17/2014, 07:24 AM
I copied this from the Clam Forum.

Many people claim that Croceas and Maximas can survive under power compact lighting. These cases are far and few between, but there are certain individuals that are able to tolerate lower lightings, at which most of their counterparts would not be able to survive. Nevertheless, you should not take the risk and hope to get lucky, it is better to be prepared to give them what they will surely thrive in. It is always good to provide at least enough light of the given species to thrive in, and NOT the bare minimum you think you can get by with. Plus, it is the least we can do for our animal, as well as our responsibility as hobbyist.

Maybe you misread the OP. They said they just upgraded to MH lights.

RA
01/17/2014, 07:55 AM
You are right I did misread it.

Salty Dog24
01/17/2014, 10:50 AM
My Blue Maxima, prefers the sand to live rock.

triggreef
01/17/2014, 02:38 PM
From what I read in the clam forum their naturally occuring in the sand but also on rocks, and it is a common myth they like rocks only.

There os a very knowledgeable member in the clam fourm so you should probably direct future questions there. He also tends to answer quickly at least with the couple questions I put up there.

Good luck with yours.

ca1ore
01/17/2014, 02:55 PM
I have seen most clams in the wild and the only one I have never seen on the sand bed are Crocea. They were always buried in a rock/coral. Seen plenty of Maxima's on rocks, but also on the sand.

capspath83
01/17/2014, 07:00 PM
Thanks all for the feedback! I appreciate it.. I will leave it in the sandbed as it seems to be happy as a clam right now

robotman
01/20/2014, 11:47 AM
my clam is under ati bulbs and seems pretty happy.

capspath83
02/03/2014, 10:45 AM
Now that my clam is on the sand bed with a flat rock buried, it seems pretty happy and hasn't moved.. It is also under ati bulbs