Can anyone help with keeping giant clams? I love the clams and there really cool. How much lighting would I need and how much food?
Hello Mike,
I find clams to be pretty simple to keep once you know there requirements but then again this goes for everything. Lots of light is better (mh, my opinion) and as far as feeding they only need to be fed if they are 3" or smaller. Try to buy a clam that is about 4" so you really do not have to worry about feeding it, it will get everything it needs from the lighting and nitrates. Of course it does not hurt to feed the tank. Also be careful when you get a new clam they have predators and one of the most common are the pyramid snail which will kill the clam. I recommend quarantine new animals for about a month before putting them into the main display tank to make sure they are healthy and predator free. But if you do not make sure you take a good look at the bottom, sides, all over the clam shell to make sure you do not have any unwanted guests. If you place the clam in your sand bed it is a good idea to place a clam shell under its foot for it to attach its self to which will help protect the clam, much more so than just placing it down in the sand. Clams can also be placed on the rock work and should attach themselves within a few days to a week unless conditions (water current, lighting) are not correct. Hope this helps.
Take care
i agree, clam, once giving the right enviroment and good water conditions are really lovley guest, and easy to keep. the key, like mopecula stated, you have to understand there needs. once you have that, and you cane meet them they are great
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We could do a show about clams. I have owned over a dozen myself. There is lots of good information out there. If you are truly into clams, you MUST own "Giant Clams" by Daniel Knopp.
Personally, I've not known anyone who has kept a scallop for any decent duration of time. They are strictly filter feeders and their needs to not match up well with the type of systems (reefs with pristine waters) that we keep.
Another thing to remember about clams...They can get huge and some get huge fast. My gigas has already grown over 1/16 of an inch, in only 2 weeks... I can only imagine what he will look like in a year or two with growth like that. I have a 37g now and I am certain he will outgrow that in a few years...So far though he is doing great under my t-5 lighting. Heres a pic of the big guy...
Yes, depending on the species, they CAN and WILL get big. Gigas (appropriately named) is one of those bad boys who will. Derasa will too. Smaller bivalves like maxima and crocea stay within the bounds of an average reef tank.
I love clams. I just finished a DIY acrylic tank that I'm setting up as a "clam only" system for my family room. I can't wait to set it up!!
wow, love to see pics when its done...I want to build my own tank but I haven't got the gumption...Kinda scared I'm gonna come home to water everywhere...
Well..try again.. After building various DIYsumps, tanks etc, I feel more confident in my skills. Though I do have an acrylic guru, Gustavo (Neo on Boston Reefers) who is my 'foreman' when it comes to big jobs like tanks, reactors etc. I'm only good at making small boxes
Awesome pictures Dave. I'd like to see more too. I've often toyed around with the idea of a coffee table aquarium with a MH pennant hanging over it just for clams.
While we are at Macro... I just love inhalant siphons!
The same two crocea in the last set of shots (viewed from side of tank) now in an image straight on. For those of you who do NOT have or have not seen clams. Their colors look very different when viewed at differing angles.
KILLERS! Two beautiful Maxima that started an unfortunate chain of events for me... No need to go into details here....yet
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I had to give him up for adoption.
