Clam placement...

[Hawkeye16]

I picked up this pretty little clam about a week ago, where should a clam like this be placed in my tank? Sand, low rock, mid, high etc. i see a lot of guys with them in their sand, will my diamond goby or shrimps/snails mess with this guy? He really hasn’t opened up much more than this since I’ve had him, any thoughts are appreciated, thanks.

 

[hotashes]

Great addition... As its in the tank on the sand bed already, can I ask did you have the clam out of water for long during transfer from bag to tank?

Also, did the clam not come attached to a rock?

What species is it?

A.

 

[DSC reef]

What kind of lighting do you have? How old is the tank? Personally I'd get that little maxima on a flat rock to attach to then move him up in the tank.

 

[hotashes]

Ive got a feeling lots of people struggle to understand some basics when keeping a clam.

Please make sure you 'burp' the clam and check for air bubbles within the underneath of the clam (while checking, keep the clam under water)

A.

 

[Hawkeye16]

It was not attached to a rock when I got him. I made sure to do a quick transfer from bag to tank, couldn't have been out of the water more than a second. I believe it's a Blue Maxima? I have some low/mid level rock ledges I can put him on if you think that's better, I just always see peoples clams wide open sitting on the bottom in the sand. Thoughts?

 

[Hawkeye16]

This is probably a dumb question, I know it has a foot to attach itself but can or should I glue it onto a rock or will that kill it?

 

[hotashes]

Well @DSC reef does have more knowledge than me on clams!!!

However I can only go by my own experience currently with my 1" maxima.

Mine came with no rock attached either, I placed it on the tank bottom.. Luckily I did as they manoeuvre a lot for their own preference. Also I'm glad I placed it on the tank bottom firstly so it could acclimatise to the lighting. Keep in mind my nano tank is 12" tall only and then light is 8" above water line.

Maxima clams do need abundance of lighting, so if your tank is deep, and you plan to start on the sand then make sure your lights are efficient to service the clams needs. If you plan to place upon the rock work just make sure the clam is on a large, flat rock so it cannot fall off. You could keep in on a flat rock on the sand bed to allow the clam to fix itself to the rock and the place higher up.

Also my clam likes a little flow, not too much where the mantle is being pushed around.

Good luck [emoji6]

A.

 

[TheSchwenkster]

This is probably a dumb question, I know it has a foot to attach itself but can or should I glue it onto a rock or will that kill it?

Don't glue. Let it naturally happen. You can help keep in place with rocks or credit cards but it should be done naturally and then the rock it attaches to can be glued.

 

[hotashes]

This is probably a dumb question, I know it has a foot to attach itself but can or should I glue it onto a rock or will that kill it?

Don't glue it.

 

[Oldreefer44]

It should attach itself. I have mine at the bottom of the tank. Proper placement can depend on lighting and depth of your tank since they are photosynthetic.

 

[Hawkeye16]

Ok thanks, I'll try a flat rock area and go from there. Regarding the "burping" you mentioned, am I just pushing out the air bubbles on the bottom of the clam with my thumb? I just can't get him to open up like your in that picture above.

 

[hotashes]

If you keep the clam under water and turn it on all axis' do you see any bubbles inside the underneath?

The clam will probably not open much until it's settled, keep an eye on looking for tiny white snails also around the shell (especially on the underside) as these are notorious at killing the clam. Somebody will chime in and give the name of these peat snails

Must admit the shell looks nice and white.

A.

 

[TheSchwenkster]

Well @DSC reef does have more knowledge than me on clams!!!

However I can only go by my own experience currently with my 1" maxima.

Keep in mind my nano tank is 12" tall only and then light is 8" above water line.

Awesome to see another nano clam keeper! Subscribes to your build thread. I haven't started on yet but should see one in the future!

 

[Hawkeye16]

Yeah the shell is white as snow, just turned him over and don't really see any bubbles underneath nor do I see or notice any tiny white snails. He really looks like its in perfect condition other than it won't open up more.

 

[TheSchwenkster]

Somebody will chime in and give the name of these peat snails

Pyramid Snails

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pyramid-snail-removal-tips.57886/

 

[hotashes]

Awesome to see another nano clam keeper! Subscribes to your build thread. I haven't started on yet but should see one in the future!

Great to have you keeping an eye on my thread. I've learnt lots in comparison to being a new reefer since April 1st 2018. Great help from members on this forum.

Tank thread

Many ways to skin a reef, this is mine. (54 Litre/14 Gallon)

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...ne.-(54-Litre-14-Gallon).376872/&share_type=t

P.S. Apologies for hijacking and posting my thread here, only as another member mentioned.

A.

 

[hotashes]

Yeah the shell is white as snow, just turned him over and don't really see any bubbles underneath nor do I see or notice any tiny white snails. He really looks like its in perfect condition other than it won't open up more.

Let him settle somewhere safe, and under the right lighting intensity and flow the clam should flourish.

My tank thread shows my parameters, if you care to know.

NOTE: I'm no expert so just talking from own experiences this far.

A.

 

[TheSchwenkster]

Yeah the shell is white as snow, just turned him over and don't really see any bubbles underneath nor do I see or notice any tiny white snails. He really looks like its in perfect condition other than it won't open up more.

Be slow and calm. Lots of light, sufficient flow, and some nutrients in the water and you have the best chance for success.

 

[hotashes]

Awesome to see another nano clam keeper! Subscribes to your build thread. I haven't started on yet but should see one in the future!

Hey thanks for the follow, I will follow back...

Yes I look forward to seeing your tank thread

A.

 

[DSC reef]

Don't ever glue a clam. You've got good info here. I recommend reading some articles by James Fatheree. There are clams that are sand dwellers like squamosa and derasa, etc. You have a maxima and they are very light hungry.