Blue Squamie Take 3

[jda]

While I am no fan of LEDs to light most any reef, and especially some clams, T. Squamosa are not all that picky about lighting. I would not worry yet, but you might have a plan for more lighting if you do not see any growth spurt in a few more months.

 

[Huskymaniac]

I can turn my middle ligjt ling ways and than add 2 hydra 26's on both sides. I am pretty sure I am consistently over 200 par now so wouldnt be suprised if this woukd get me to over 300 par on the sandbed.

 

[Huskymaniac]

And cost me another another grand, lol.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Unfortunately the clam looked real bad the last days. Was still somewhat responsive to light hut with no growth in 6 months I made the call to put it out of its misery. Not sure if it was me or the clam and if I should try another one.

 

[hart24601]

Really sorry to hear that. Amazing it was able to last 6 months. Clams are individuals, we can give general guidelines, 200 PAR might be enough for 99% of blue squammys, but perhaps this one just needed 500+ par and slowly starved, just no telling but for sure it stinks. Sorry man.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Sucks since they are so expensive. I have one of my small derasa clams in its space and I am not digging it, lol. DD has a bunch of them on there. Not sure about coughing up the money again.

 

[hart24601]

Maybe the derasa will change your mind when it gets bigger! It's nice they grow fast and large ones are still impressive!

 

[Huskymaniac]

My old one that died back in February. 15 inches long. Felt lile it weighed 30 pounds.

 

[hart24601]

Wow, now that's impressive. I don't see many that are really over 12" shell!

 

[Midrats]

Here's my little guy may he rest in peace. Had it in about the same amount of light as you, didn't last quite six months, also with zero growth. I bought it locally where it had been for a while. They don't maintain their lights, he even told me that the halide hadn't been changed in years. I should've known better.

 

[Fishfinder]

Just my own observation...... blue clams require more light than the other colors of the same species

 

[Huskymaniac]

It was actually a sick blue squamie that took out my huge derasa. Had some type of bacterial or viral disease and a month later the derasa was dead. Not sure how long I had it but it could have been close to a decade. I have tried the blue squamies 3 times and have had 0 success.

 

[jda]

I think that you can get away with 150-200 PAR for a larger squammy or deresa - 4-5+" inches. I always keep my smaller ones under 500-750 under 6500k daylight MH until they grow a few layers of scutes, so I cannot fully relate, but perhaps the smaller ones still need 350+ since several people have indicated slow starvation under less light.

 

[Huskymaniac]

I think that you can get away with 150-200 PAR for a larger squammy or deresa - 4-5+" inches. I always keep my smaller ones under 500-750 under 6500k daylight MH until they grow a few layers of scutes, so I cannot fully relate, but perhaps the smaller ones still need 350+ since several people have indicated slow starvation under less light.

I was actually able to get the clam under 300+ par. Unfortunately nothing worked. Something always seemed off with it. It woukdnt stay open the entire day, if a crab walked on it would close for hours, the exhalant siphon would look funny at times, etc. I really want to try another ine but the cost is just to much for such a poor success rate. All 3 purchased from DD and havent been able to keep one alive, granted the first 2 were essentially DOA. I am thinking of doing a blue maxima in its spot instead. I know a bit kn the low side of lighting but would think 300 par woukd be sufficient. If not maybe its time to start adding some t5's.

 

[Shigshwa]

I was actually able to get the clam under 300+ par. Unfortunately nothing worked. Something always seemed off with it. It woukdnt stay open the entire day, if a crab walked on it would close for hours, the exhalant siphon would look funny at times, etc. I really want to try another ine but the cost is just to much for such a poor success rate. All 3 purchased from DD and havent been able to keep one alive, granted the first 2 were essentially DOA. I am thinking of doing a blue maxima in its spot instead. I know a bit kn the low side of lighting but would think 300 par woukd be sufficient. If not maybe its time to start adding some t5's.

I rarely even bother with online clams any more. I try to find clams that have survived at the LFS for at least a few weeks before I even consider it, and that's LFSes that keep their clams under high lighting.

 

[Huskymaniac]

So got the little Blue Maxima today. I hope its just acclimating but dont think this one is going to make it.

 

[pecan2phat]

Wouldn't the Maxima need even more PAR then the previous Squamosa?

 

[MSB123]

Wouldn't the Maxima need even more PAR then the previous Squamosa?

Yes! I have a Maxima and I keep 200 par on the sand bed. I am going to move him up to about 10” below the lights to about 400 par. I hope I will see more shell growth!

 

[Oshengems]

I feel with Clams the best thing is to leave it alone once their mantle is open, I’ve had a Maxima on my sand bed for about a year growth has been slow but I noticed better growth now that I settled it on the sandbed and it’s been in the exact same spot for about 8 months the first few months I was moving it here then there switching angles etc etc, as long as you are getting a response from overhead shadowing it’s a good sign let them really adjust, I also feed Phyto from time to time specially during the time I first got as it adjusted to my tank