Does Size Matter

[jango]

I HAD A SMALL MAXIMA ABOUT 1" IT WAS DOING WELL THEN I NOTICED SOME DAMAGE ON THE MANTLE BUT THE FOOT WAS FINE
IT WAS IN MY TANK FOR ABOUT A MONTH COULDNT FIND A SPOT IT WAS COMFORTABLE IN ALL MY HERMITS LOVED MESSING WITH IT MY CLAM WAS FINE LAST NIGHT EXCEPT FOR THE SMALL DAMAGE ON THE MANTLE I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND THE SHELL WAS WIDE OPEN AND NO MORE CLAM CLEANED OUT

IS HARDER TO KEEP A VERY SMALL CLAM OR IS THE SAME TO KEEP A MORE MATURE CLAM
I ALSO NOTICED AFTER IT WAS DAMAGED IT GOT A LOT MORE ATTENTION FROM MY CLEAN UP CREW


SO I WONT BY ANOTHER CLAM TILL I KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM
ARE SOME CLAMS EASIER THAN OTHERS?

[rmendis]

It is generally easier to keep a clam that is 3" or larger. When they are less than 3", they rely on feedings with phytoplankton, and are less hardy. When they are larger, they rely on light as their primary "food" source. Maximas and Croceas need plenty of light - ideally, MH. If you don't have MH, try starting out with a Derasa. Also, I would avoid hermits if you want to keep clams.

Do more reading on RC - there is some good info here.
Best of luck.

[Typhon]

I agree with "rmendis"..

I recommend MHs for all types of clams..

But Derasa and Saq.. will surive under VHOs and PCs...

I recommend you read "Giant Clams" by Daniel Knop

[Peabody]

What kind of lights do you have on your tank? A single MH pendant would be good for your tank if you want a clam.

[Sardaukar]

Ya MH is the way to go. Easy on the all caps too please.

[jango]

thanks for the advise i do have a 175 pendant over the tank so i dont think light was an issue
i think my hermits got a hold of him

[Gatorfan]

Clams that small rely almost completely on direct feeding, were you feeding it? I'm sure the hermits were just cleaning up the mess...

[jango]

I wasn't directly feeding it but i am dosing my tank with phytoplankton

[BigDaddy]

I would direct feed your clam every other day in a bowl of tank water w/ some phyto. Small clams get most of their nutrition from feeding, the large clams are much easier to keep IMO.

[AQUAN8TOR]

I would advise against the removal of the clam. I think that may have stressed it out, and made it more vulnerable to some malady of sorts. I have 9 clams in my 40g, from 1.75-6" in size. IMHO, it is better to provide a constant level of phytoplankton, LIVE, not extract form; This, IMHO, is closer to what these animals would experience in their natural environment. I'm not a clam biologist, but it would seem to me that the clam would much rather get its nutrition constantly than all at once.

[mantisshrimp]

Little clams don't need phyto at all I raised mine from 1.5" they are doing just fine,I never feed them.I have a 150 watt HQI on a 10 gallon.

[AQUAN8TOR]

Sorryabout the confusion of my post. What I meant was that I think that moving the clam around constantly is a sure way to stress it out. I wouldn't move the clam around once you find a spot for it without too much current. Clams don't always fully extend their mantles for a few days when moved to a new placement. Also, IMHO, the removal and replacement of the clam to and from a feeding vessel of concentrated phytoplankton-enriched water would cause undue stress to the animal.

[Peabody]

Originally posted by mantisshrimp
Little clams don't need phyto at all I raised mine from 1.5" they are doing just fine,I never feed them.I have a 150 watt HQI on a 10 gallon.
Buzzzzzzzzzzz....wrong....thanks for playing.

Consult any of the scientific literature on clams....under 3", they need substantial feedings, and prefer phyto (usually Isochrysis). You must have been lucky so far and have enough nutrients, nitrates, and particulate food to keep them alive.

If I could raise a giant panda on tofu and keep it alive, that doesn't mean it doesn't need bamboo.