question on hippopus clams

[garvin90]

I had a question on clam propogation. I currently have 2 Hippopus clams and am wondering several things:

1. Are these a species captively propogated?

2. If so, at what age/size do they mature?

3. What tank inhabitants would be potential baby clam predators?

And lastly; Does adult coloration play a role in the offspring or is color potential up for grabs?

Thanks,
Ray

[mbbuna]

1. yes they are

2. they are males first, then they become hermaphroditic. i cant pin down an exact age but 8 to 10 years old or older.

3. when they are larval just about everything, your filtration,fish, crabs,pods, anything larger then them.

lastly yes the adults color will have an influence on the youngs color

[garvin90]

Ok, so is there a way to determine clam age and secondly, what style setup would be best to allow atleast some of larvae to mature without being eaten?

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7458635#post7458635 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by garvin90
Ok, so is there a way to determine clam age and secondly, what style setup would be best to allow atleast some of larvae to mature without being eaten?

theres to many variables to determine a clams age. i would guess a Hippopus would have to be at least 8" to 10" to be fully mature.

as to how to do it read these links

http://library.kcc.hawaii.edu/external/ctsa/publications/GCManual.html

http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/003/AC293E/AC293E01.htm

http://www.spc.int/coastfish/News/Trochus/Trochus8/Trochus8-07.htm

http://library.kcc.hawaii.edu/external/ctsa/publications/lagoon/Lagoon.htm

http://www.spc.org.nc/aquaculture/site/commodities/giant_clam.asp?ou=pdt&pdt=giant_clam&comm_name=Giant%20clam

http://govdocs.aquake.org/cgi/reprint/2003/525/5250010.pdf

http://govdocs.aquake.org/cgi/reprint/2003/526/5260080.pdf

http://www.ctsa.org/upload/publication/CTSA_143631672855187292852.pdf

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8F-48CGM8G-1F&_coverDate=02%2F18%2F1992&_alid=326553642&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_qd=1&_cdi=5085&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=d2574c6479094a83d1ac20fd1faf1f1f

[garvin90]

Thanks for the info, is there any published books or other reading materials to be had for aquaculturing clams in the home aquaria?

[mbbuna]

Daniel Knops book "Giant Clams" talks about it briefly but i think all you would need to know is in those links.