Clam lifespan in captivity

spamin76 · 04/26/2004, 09:50 AM

Ok, provided that a clam is in an ideal tank with excellent water chemistry, safe from predation, and provided the right amount of light how long should it live. What is the longest any of you clam nuts have kept a clam alive and what is the average life of a healthy and well cared for clam.

reef-man_d-man · 04/26/2004, 03:44 PM

I dont think anyone has ever kept a clam for its true lifespan in a tank, I know of some people that have had them 5+ years, however IMO its really hard to give a clam its full life span in a tank, because of the human factor, it we could keep from things going wrong in the tank (and I mean ever yeah right like that will happen soon) then they could live a very long life, I am not sure of the numbers, but someone here should know exactly.

spamin76 · 04/26/2004, 03:55 PM

I want to get one, and supposing everything goes right I wanted to know what to expect. I know some creatures like shrimp have relatively short lifespans(especially if there is a trigger or a wrasse involved) compared to say clownfish which have been kept alive in captivity for 17+ years. 5+ sounds pretty encouraging to me, is this the norm or the exception for someone who knows what they are doing?

reef-man_d-man · 04/26/2004, 03:58 PM

I would say the norm, however watch out for pest's and beware that that stinkin clam disease could wipe out hundereds of dollars in clams in a matter of days.

spamin76 · 04/26/2004, 04:26 PM

Wow sounds like it would be seriously frustrating!! That is a lot of cash. Not to say I haven't spent that much on hardware because a I have multi hundred dollar lights and skimmer - but to lose prize clams like that would be awful.

Julio · 04/26/2004, 08:36 PM

i know someone who has had clams for 10 years, two dreseas. I know the Waikiki aquarium has had the gigas for almost 20 years now if not longer.

Project Reef · 04/27/2004, 12:19 AM

If conditions are perfect for ever, I don't think they can "die".

firechild · 04/27/2004, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Project Reef
If conditions are perfect for ever, I don't think they can "die".

Clams have a natural lifespan of around 70 years.

Julio · 04/27/2004, 07:15 AM

i have heard of gigas living well over 100 years, though i have yet to find any documentation.

spamin76 · 04/27/2004, 08:39 AM

Wow - ok - that more than answers my question - thanks - I wanted to know that if all goes well if my clam would be with me for a while - sounds like it will be provided I can do my part and unexpected disaster does not strike.

Gerard Alba · 04/27/2004, 08:52 PM

Very intresting...

Gerard Alba · 04/27/2004, 08:52 PM

Very interesting...

cwbroden · 04/27/2004, 10:06 PM

70 years... wow... guess I better add my clams to my will.

clsund · 04/28/2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cwbroden
70 years... wow... guess I better add my clams to my will.

LOL! I hereby bequeth my ultra maxima to my Uncle George who has done so much for me. To my aunt Edna, I give my squamosa.

spamin76 · 04/28/2004, 12:46 PM

I'll give it's care over to whatever trigger fish I own when I pass on to that giant Aquarium in the sky - I know he will relish the clam as much as I did in life... though pobablt in a different way...

04/26/2004, 09:50 AM	#1
spamin76 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: University of Cincinnati Posts: 3,715	Clam lifespan in captivity Ok, provided that a clam is in an ideal tank with excellent water chemistry, safe from predation, and provided the right amount of light how long should it live. What is the longest any of you clam nuts have kept a clam alive and what is the average life of a healthy and well cared for clam. __________________ Humuhumunukunukuapua'a! Current Tank Info: 24g nano reef

04/26/2004, 03:44 PM	#2
reef-man_d-man Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fairview Heights Posts: 4,208	I dont think anyone has ever kept a clam for its true lifespan in a tank, I know of some people that have had them 5+ years, however IMO its really hard to give a clam its full life span in a tank, because of the human factor, it we could keep from things going wrong in the tank (and I mean ever yeah right like that will happen soon) then they could live a very long life, I am not sure of the numbers, but someone here should know exactly. __________________ I dont think thats such a good idea, famous last words of a nosey neighbor Current Tank Info: None thanks to a dumb lease

04/26/2004, 03:55 PM	#3
spamin76 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: University of Cincinnati Posts: 3,715	I want to get one, and supposing everything goes right I wanted to know what to expect. I know some creatures like shrimp have relatively short lifespans(especially if there is a trigger or a wrasse involved) compared to say clownfish which have been kept alive in captivity for 17+ years. 5+ sounds pretty encouraging to me, is this the norm or the exception for someone who knows what they are doing? __________________ Humuhumunukunukuapua'a! Current Tank Info: 24g nano reef

04/26/2004, 03:58 PM	#4
reef-man_d-man Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fairview Heights Posts: 4,208	I would say the norm, however watch out for pest's and beware that that stinkin clam disease could wipe out hundereds of dollars in clams in a matter of days. __________________ I dont think thats such a good idea, famous last words of a nosey neighbor Current Tank Info: None thanks to a dumb lease

04/26/2004, 04:26 PM	#5
spamin76 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: University of Cincinnati Posts: 3,715	Wow sounds like it would be seriously frustrating!! That is a lot of cash. Not to say I haven't spent that much on hardware because a I have multi hundred dollar lights and skimmer - but to lose prize clams like that would be awful. __________________ Humuhumunukunukuapua'a! Current Tank Info: 24g nano reef

04/26/2004, 08:36 PM	#6
Julio Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New york Posts: 7,978	i know someone who has had clams for 10 years, two dreseas. I know the Waikiki aquarium has had the gigas for almost 20 years now if not longer. __________________ Thanks, Have a nice day. Julio Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef w/ 250 watt SE XM10Ks and AP1003, 12 gallon reef, 40 gallon reef

04/27/2004, 12:19 AM	#7
Project Reef **** R.C. Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 5,844	If conditions are perfect for ever, I don't think they can "die". __________________ - Ali

04/27/2004, 07:15 AM	#9
Julio Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New york Posts: 7,978	i have heard of gigas living well over 100 years, though i have yet to find any documentation. __________________ Thanks, Have a nice day. Julio Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef w/ 250 watt SE XM10Ks and AP1003, 12 gallon reef, 40 gallon reef

04/27/2004, 08:39 AM	#10
spamin76 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: University of Cincinnati Posts: 3,715	Wow - ok - that more than answers my question - thanks - I wanted to know that if all goes well if my clam would be with me for a while - sounds like it will be provided I can do my part and unexpected disaster does not strike. __________________ Humuhumunukunukuapua'a! Current Tank Info: 24g nano reef

04/27/2004, 08:52 PM	#11
Gerard Alba Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,413	Very intresting...

04/27/2004, 10:06 PM	#13
cwbroden Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Westinster, MD Posts: 2,067	70 years... wow... guess I better add my clams to my will.

04/28/2004, 12:46 PM	#15
spamin76 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: University of Cincinnati Posts: 3,715	I'll give it's care over to whatever trigger fish I own when I pass on to that giant Aquarium in the sky - I know he will relish the clam as much as I did in life... though pobablt in a different way... __________________ Humuhumunukunukuapua'a! Current Tank Info: 24g nano reef