clams spawning

***Rob*** · 02-20-2006, 11:22 PM

my clams spawned..

not much more to say about that, just thought i would share some pictured

a nice dinner for my fish and coral..

Scott · 02-20-2006, 11:28 PM

Wow....I'm guessing they wouldn't do this unless you have a really good and mature tank. :-)

AdamJ · 02-21-2006, 01:31 AM

well thats downright kewl!

**Amphibious** · 02-21-2006, 04:13 AM

Wow! Congrats!

gwen_o_lyn · 02-21-2006, 09:10 AM

Cool pics Rob!!

kj_yoda · 02-21-2006, 09:10 AM

Very cool...LUNCH

Sloppygolf · 02-21-2006, 11:42 AM

Now that is something you don't see every day.......guess that is why he is our LEADER!

***Rob*** · 02-21-2006, 12:21 PM

yeah.. its cool..
i was having this issue where for the last few weeks when cleaning the glass i was scraping off this white film.. it resembled scraping off cyno.. only white... couldn't figure it out..

then after witnessing this, all the pieces came together...
it turns out that the clams have been spawning every few days for a couple weeks now...

its pretty cool...
when they start, all the fish gather right above it, and eat as many of the gametes as they can...lol

kj_yoda · 02-21-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sloppygolf

Now that is something you don't see every day.......guess that is why he is our LEADER!

Our fearless leader

veen · 02-26-2006, 09:54 PM

that's cool, rob!

8251Reefer · 03-02-2006, 10:46 AM

if you get that stuff on your clothes, the stain will never come out...be careful Rob.

***Rob*** · 03-02-2006, 11:39 AM

lol.. i usually dont make it a haibit of putting clam spawn on my cloths...lmao..

i know, i stay out of there.. there just something icky about the thought of reaching in there during such an event..

8251Reefer · 03-02-2006, 12:50 PM

can't blame you. Has anyone winessed a Gigas spawning? The only ones I have seen are the Crocea spawning. i am just curious and if so when are clams actually mature enough to do so? Do they have to reach some sort of clam puberty first? Just curious...

AdamJ · 03-02-2006, 01:12 PM

Well, you asked for it....

Giant clams are protandric hermaphrodites: they mature first as males in two to three years, then develop gonads with both sperm and egg releasing components. Sperm release precedes egg release during spawning, presumably to prevent self-fertilization. Size and age at maturity varies with species and geographical location.

Spawning in giant clams has been shown to follow both a diel and lunar pattern (Heslinga et al., 1990; Braley, 1992a). Spawning activity tends to be highest in the mid to late afternoon and during full and new moon periods.

**JustDavidP** · 03-02-2006, 02:07 PM

Mmmmmm... Chowdah!

8251Reefer · 03-02-2006, 05:40 PM

Thanks alot Adam for the scientific explanation.

Reefbaby · 03-02-2006, 05:43 PM

awh man, Rob - couldn't you have gotten that into your video with Dory and Nemo!?? Come on now...get it together would ya?!

***Rob*** · 03-02-2006, 11:17 PM

lol.. i was going too actually.. but when i went to get the camera i realized someone had borrowed it.. i just got it back.. so expect more videos from me, and others soon..

Adam:
awesome explanation..
that apply to all clams in the genus Tridacna and just the Tridacna gigas correct?