Clam Identification

[Fijikid]

Hello,

Anyone out there help me identify what type of clam this is and what experience they have had with clams?

Thank you,

 

[NaH2O]

Fijikid -

Let me know if you need help attaching a picture. You can either upload it into your member gallery, or attach it to a post by selecting the post reply button, then go to attachments and browse your hard drive to the pic you want.

Here is a link to the Clam section:

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/photos_members/showgallery.php?cat=503&password=

 

[Fijikid]

Hello,

Anyone out there help me identify what type of clam this is and what experience they have had with clams?

Thank you,

 

[piercho]

That clam is Tridacna deresa. I have a few Tridacna, but not that specie. A source for info on Tridacna is Daniel Knopp's book "Giant Clams". Knopp also has written some on-line articles. Deresa's can get quite large and have a reputation as being one of the easier clams to keep.

Two comments. First, IMO, the clam should be moved out of the anemone's reach. IME, anemones can burn a clam's mantle. Corals - or the corals in my tank - for some reason don't seem to effect them. 2nd, if this animal has recently been placed in the tank, give some attention to the mantle appearence, especially if it starts to bubble or turn blotchy white. These animals - especially adults - take a while to adapt to different lighting conditions.

IME, given stable conditions in an established tank, giant clams are fairly easy to keep. They need enough light, and IMO more light than most corals. They can benefit from the addition of live or inerted phytoplankton to the tank, but for many tanks (and clams) this doesn't seem to be a requirement. I'd read Knopp's book if you want to understand the animal and it's requirements.

 

[cdeakle]

First, IMO, the clam should be moved out of the anemone's reach.

Definately, get them apart from one another.

 

[NaH2O]

Fijikid - what kind of lighting do you have? What size is this particular clam?

 

[Barry N.]

A T.derasa for sure and Howard said it better than I would have.

Cheers,

 

[Curtswearing]

Thanks Barry

I still have that $50 gift certificate hanging out there and I'm trying to do all of the reading I can before deciding on the species of my clam.

 

[Barry N.]

$50 gift certificate hanging out there

What $50.00 Gift Certificate? LOL Just giving you are hard time.

Glad that you are doing some research.

 

[Curtswearing]

LOL....I guess I'm a look before leaping kinda guy.

 

[Fijikid]

Hello,

I have a 55 gallon tank that has 2 VHO's and a 240 MH in the middle. This where I have set the clam as well.

What are your thoughts about this?

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[Illusion]

I have read in knops book that clams mantles cannot be stung by anemones and such.. I cant remember which page it was on exactly.. FWIW My crocea was never bother by my rose anemone...

The derasa is one of the Lower light clams so your lighting will be just fine for it..

HTH<
James

 

[piercho]

It was my experience with M. doorensis that it could burn clams. Other potent stinging inverts, like Favids, don't seem to. Nematocysts can be specific and maybe an LTA has nematocysts specific to molluscs and a BTA doesn't, I don't know.