Raising clams to increase their value with larger sizes

[Gordonious]

I just recently upgraded my lighting and when I was telling my brother about all the different animals I could not keep that I could not keep before. I told him about the clams and he said that would be awesome. But the thing is I am on a limited budget currently and I'm trying to only purchase things that I may one day be able to make a profit on.(I hope to build a green house and get into aquaculture about a year from now when I finish my undergrad)

I thought about it again later when I saw someone posting about a large display size coral in one of the forums. I realize they are often horribly slow growers, but what if I stuck a couple little ones in one of the prop tanks in a green house and kept them for a couple years letting them grow out a little. I think this would be fun to do and add a little bit of diversity to the things I would have to offer. I wouldn't get more then a handful of them because they would take up space and take a long time to increase in value.

I know you Calfo preaches not to waste space on things in a propagation system that aren't making any money, but wanted to ask peoples thoughts on if this might be worth doing.

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Tridacnids are very good filter feeders. Really extraordinary in some ways (ammonia)

 

[DonW]

Clams grow fast. Most can just buy a small one and let it grow. I dont think if your looking to make a profit that growing a clam is going to do it. Your never going to recover your expenses and larger clams are much tougher sale. Crocea's are a dime a dozen and are slow growers, other tridac's quickly outgrow the majority of tanks. Most people have smaller tanks under 200g and just dont have room for giant clam.

Don

Don