Derasa Clams - Easy to Care For?

TJDaddio · 07/04/2012, 03:46 PM

Just started a reef tank and am in the process of looking into what fish/corals/critters I want.

Anyone have any background info on keeping those derasa clams? Easy to care for? Reef safe? Compatibility with other fish, hermit crabs, etc?

Any specific types that are better than others? Thanks!

G4546 · 07/04/2012, 03:53 PM

There is an amazing amount of information reguarding the care of derasa clams on the net. They are indeed one of the more "easy going" clams we have

Need a powerful light source

They don't like fish that need many light feedings, by that I would include anthias

By the way your avatar is

Keep us updated on what you're doing

Foody · 07/05/2012, 08:43 PM

Read up before you stock your tank. Most of what I read says you will want your tank to be operational for 9months to a year, making certain your water parameters are steady and stable. Clams can be finicky when it comes to swings in your water parameters.

ange062 · 07/05/2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foody

Read up before you stock your tank. Most of what I read says you will want your tank to be operational for 9months to a year, making certain your water parameters are steady and stable. Clams can be finicky when it comes to swings in your water parameters.

I've had a crocea in my tank for well over a year now, which was added less than 2-mo after I started a brand new tank. Tank stability is the key, make sure your setup is running smoothly and you are keeping up with key maintenance. Also make sure you have enough light. Derasas are easy IMO, but very fast growers so not suitable for small tanks. I had to sell mine after only a couple of months because it tripled in size.

TJDaddio · 07/10/2012, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G4546

There is an amazing amount of information reguarding the care of derasa clams on the net. They are indeed one of the more "easy going" clams we have

Need a powerful light source

They don't like fish that need many light feedings, by that I would include anthias

By the way your avatar is

Keep us updated on what you're doing

Thanks! My avatar is actually my grandfather and his dog, which we have a U.S. Patent on her diving apparatus, the world's only scuba dog

I love those clams, will definitely do the research on them. They are gorgeous!

ShaunMonahan · 07/10/2012, 09:50 AM

Derasa's are one of the easier clams to maintain captively. They will grow fast if their needs are met, so plan for this. I really dig derasa's too but I don't have any because of their fast growth- I have a small tank.

nanshaw2001 · 07/10/2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJDaddio

Thanks! My avatar is actually my grandfather and his dog, which we have a U.S. Patent on her diving apparatus, the world's only scuba dog

I love those clams, will definitely do the research on them. They are gorgeous!

What a great picture....you are very blessed! Cool grandpa and cool dog!

ibefishy · 07/10/2012, 10:33 PM

I have several different Derasas and they are easy to keep as far as clams go. They are some of the least light demanding clams to get, they prefer being on the sand rather than a rock because they dont have a foot to attach. They do grow fast and large given optimal conditions. Watch your clacium and magnesium levels because as they get bigger they will use up clacium rather quickly. Even though clams dont move much or do much of anything they are still my favorite tank inhabitants. Here are a few of my clams. I included one of my Derasa hosting my clown. I will have to try and get some other pics of my happy clamily.

TJDaddio · 07/13/2012, 12:36 PM

Those are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!

FF337 · 07/13/2012, 03:00 PM

Yes those clams are very nice.

Harrhugh · 08/26/2015, 10:07 PM

Nice pics. How fast they grow?

Bent · 08/27/2015, 08:11 PM

I dunno man. I've had Maximas and crocs in the past. I just got my first derasa not too long ago and it's giving me fits.

laga77 · 08/29/2015, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harrhugh

Nice pics. How fast they grow?

Mine has gone from3 inches to 8 inches in 2.5 years.

ShaunMonahan · 09/03/2015, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibefishy

[/IMG]

These (2) look like they're desasa x gigas hybrids with those huge windows in their mantels...

tsunade · 09/09/2015, 10:09 PM

I got one in my tank it's happy healthy for 6 months then one day it passes away

easiest to care for really my first clam

CidsquidKiD · 09/20/2015, 05:39 PM

Is a 100 gallon tank suitable for a Derasa clam, as they get rather large?

07/04/2012, 03:46 PM	#1
TJDaddio Moved On Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 201	Derasa Clams - Easy to Care For? Just started a reef tank and am in the process of looking into what fish/corals/critters I want. Anyone have any background info on keeping those derasa clams? Easy to care for? Reef safe? Compatibility with other fish, hermit crabs, etc? Any specific types that are better than others? Thanks!

08/27/2015, 08:11 PM	#12
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	I dunno man. I've had Maximas and crocs in the past. I just got my first derasa not too long ago and it's giving me fits. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

07/04/2012, 03:53 PM	#2
G4546 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Central, FL Posts: 477	There is an amazing amount of information reguarding the care of derasa clams on the net. They are indeed one of the more "easy going" clams we have Need a powerful light source They don't like fish that need many light feedings, by that I would include anthias By the way your avatar is Keep us updated on what you're doing

07/05/2012, 08:43 PM	#3
Foody Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Bergen, NY Posts: 487	Read up before you stock your tank. Most of what I read says you will want your tank to be operational for 9months to a year, making certain your water parameters are steady and stable. Clams can be finicky when it comes to swings in your water parameters.

07/10/2012, 09:50 AM	#6
ShaunMonahan Clam nut Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 270	Derasa's are one of the easier clams to maintain captively. They will grow fast if their needs are met, so plan for this. I really dig derasa's too but I don't have any because of their fast growth- I have a small tank.

07/10/2012, 10:33 PM	#8
ibefishy Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grover Beach, California Posts: 307	I have several different Derasas and they are easy to keep as far as clams go. They are some of the least light demanding clams to get, they prefer being on the sand rather than a rock because they dont have a foot to attach. They do grow fast and large given optimal conditions. Watch your clacium and magnesium levels because as they get bigger they will use up clacium rather quickly. Even though clams dont move much or do much of anything they are still my favorite tank inhabitants. Here are a few of my clams. I included one of my Derasa hosting my clown. I will have to try and get some other pics of my happy clamily.

07/13/2012, 12:36 PM	#9
TJDaddio Moved On Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 201	Those are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!

07/13/2012, 03:00 PM	#10
FF337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 249	Yes those clams are very nice.

08/26/2015, 10:07 PM	#11
Harrhugh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 17	Nice pics. How fast they grow?

09/09/2015, 10:09 PM	#15
tsunade Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Orange County - California Posts: 60	I got one in my tank it's happy healthy for 6 months then one day it passes away easiest to care for really my first clam

09/20/2015, 05:39 PM	#16
CidsquidKiD Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 2	Is a 100 gallon tank suitable for a Derasa clam, as they get rather large?