Clams for fish food [inspiration thread]

[ScottR]

I recently came across a thread started by @Brew12 here https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/nutrition-and-fish-health.603925/

In it, a reference to @Paul B was made about feeding fish some clams. Thread found here
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/clams-the-best-food-for-a-reef.499468/

So I embarked on a journey to make fish food. Not my first time. But certainly my first for clams. I went to a local seafood market and got a pound of clams for only $3. Nice and alive! Boy were these things beautiful.

Shucked meat.

And then after the shucking.

Chopped meat.

Added a sheet of Japanese nori seaweed.

Mixed nori with clam meat. Yum yum.

Placed in a mini ice cube tray for a 3 day freezing to kill off any unwanted protozoa/parasites before feeding.

Let’s see what comes of this. I’m guessing my extensive list of inverts will love it. But my fish should love it the most.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I also did a write-up on a mollusk fish food....combination of clams, mussels and oysters......HERE.

One note about your slurry of deliciousness.....I found it so much easy to shuck and chop the clams (any mollusk) if you first freeze them.

Also, let me know what you think about the mini ice cube tray. I didn't like the ones I got....too small. I prefer freezing a flat in a zip-lock bag and then cutting into cubes.

Nice write up!

 

[ScottR]

I also did a write-up on a mollusk fish food....combination of clams, mussels and oysters......HERE.

One note about your slurry of deliciousness.....I found it so much easy to shuck and chop the clams (any mollusk) if you first freeze them.

Also, let me know what you think about the mini ice cube tray. I didn't like the ones I got....too small. I prefer freezing a flat in a zip-lock bag and then cutting into cubes.

Nice write up!

Nice write up for sure. These threads get lost in the wire don’t they?

The one problem with freezing beforehand is perhaps missing a dead one that had started to rot. When they’re closed up, you’ll never know. When frozen, you might miss it. I don’t question your method at all. But my son loves shucking these things alongside me. He doesn’t mind getting squirted by one of them. I also like adding in the seaweed for an extra treat. Can we say we feed our tank better than ourselves?

 

[ScottR]

I also did a write-up on a mollusk fish food....combination of clams, mussels and oysters......HERE.

One note about your slurry of deliciousness.....I found it so much easy to shuck and chop the clams (any mollusk) if you first freeze them.

Also, let me know what you think about the mini ice cube tray. I didn't like the ones I got....too small. I prefer freezing a flat in a zip-lock bag and then cutting into cubes.

Nice write up!

Forgot to answer your ice cube tray question. Honestly, I wish I just threw it all in a ziplock now that you mention it. I use LRS frenzy. I like chopping pieces off as opposed to prying cubes out of the tray.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I make food now based on @redfishbluefish write up and have to say, I love it and so do all of the tanks inhabitants. Costs me about 20 dollars for a month of food for 11 tanks. Granted some are nanos lol. Either way, I ditched the ice cube tray, used the "Snack Bags" and fill them up just enough to make thin sheets. 1 bag does all of the tanks for 2 days, which I feel is about the longest I want to leave it de-thawed in my fridge.

 

[ScottR]

I make food now based on @redfishbluefish write up and have to say, I love it and so do all of the tanks inhabitants. Costs me about 20 dollars for a month of food for 11 tanks. Granted some are nanos lol. Either way, I ditched the ice cube tray, used the "Snack Bags" and fill them up just enough to make thin sheets. 1 bag does all of the tanks for 2 days, which I feel is about the longest I want to leave it de-thawed in my fridge.

Seems I need to ditch the trays. In hindsight, it all makes sense.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Seems I need to ditch the trays. In hindsight, it all makes sense.

The trays also allow for freezer burn if it sits a while. That was my issue with it. Well and a drunk night where my scotch got a few cubes of fish food lol.

 

[fastgoby]

Oooh, that's a cute ice tray. Be sure to post how feeding goes! I'm really curious how fast the cubes get chowed down on lol.

 

[sfin52]

I use a cookie sheet lined with wax paper works well. No worries about plastic sticking in mixture

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Nice write up for sure. These threads get lost in the wire don’t they?

The one problem with freezing beforehand is perhaps missing a dead one that had started to rot. When they’re closed up, you’ll never know. When frozen, you might miss it. I don’t question your method at all. But my son loves shucking these things alongside me. He doesn’t mind getting squirted by one of them. I also like adding in the seaweed for an extra treat. Can we say we feed our tank better than ourselves?

I been feeding frozen clams for a long time. Fish color and behavior are great. I freeze them in shell dozen at a time.

Here is the trick, copywriter Paul b.

I buy the clam and bring it home. (Obviously I know). I take my knife and get it into the shell just enough that I can spread the halves just a bit. I take a wood skewer of other item like a lollipop stick and slip it in between the halves. Push the stick in just enough that when you release the knife the clam closes up around it. The clam closing confirms alive, and stick makes a nice lollipop.

When ready to feed, I run the lollipop under hot water for 10-15 seconds. It loosens the flesh just enough to pry it open. It will open easily since the stick held it open, again Paul b. Pop out the meat, slice thin and served with lemon and crackers.

They like oyster crackers

 

[ScottR]

Oooh, that's a cute ice tray. Be sure to post how feeding goes! I'm really curious how fast the cubes get chowed down on lol.

I’ll put a couple of cubes in tank water and let them thaw out first.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I recently came across a thread started by @Brew12 here https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/nutrition-and-fish-health.603925/

In it, a reference to @Paul B was made about feeding fish some clams. Thread found here
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/clams-the-best-food-for-a-reef.499468/

So I embarked on a journey to make fish food. Not my first time. But certainly my first for clams. I went to a local seafood market and got a pound of clams for only $3. Nice and alive! Boy were these things beautiful.

Shucked meat.

And then after the shucking.

Chopped meat.

Added a sheet of Japanese nori seaweed.

Mixed nori with clam meat. Yum yum.

Placed in a mini ice cube tray for a 3 day freezing to kill off any unwanted protozoa/parasites before feeding.

Let’s see what comes of this. I’m guessing my extensive list of inverts will love it. But my fish should love it the most.

Oooooosushi, I'm hungry

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I recently came across a thread started by @Brew12 here https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/nutrition-and-fish-health.603925/

In it, a reference to @Paul B was made about feeding fish some clams. Thread found here
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/clams-the-best-food-for-a-reef.499468/

So I embarked on a journey to make fish food. Not my first time. But certainly my first for clams. I went to a local seafood market and got a pound of clams for only $3. Nice and alive! Boy were these things beautiful.

Shucked meat.

And then after the shucking.

Chopped meat.

Added a sheet of Japanese nori seaweed.

Mixed nori with clam meat. Yum yum.

Placed in a mini ice cube tray for a 3 day freezing to kill off any unwanted protozoa/parasites before feeding.

Let’s see what comes of this. I’m guessing my extensive list of inverts will love it. But my fish should love it the most.

I love Asian markets, get to personally choose your seafood. Just remember any seafood Not frozen, better for sea creatures. Helps possibly for their immune to disease. Thanks for sharing, comrade

 

[Matt Carden]

I go to the seafood counter of publix and get a variety of whatever they have that day. Plus I get some feeder fish from unfortunately Petco because my LFS doesn't stock feeders. I freeze any Mullosks before shucking because I find it easier. I throw all into a food processor and freeze the slurry on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. My last batch cost me $22 and yielded a third of a gallon freezer bag full of cubes.

At feeding time I just add the frozen cubes directly to the tank at feeding time. I found that I have to add a half a cup of tank water to the slurry otherwise the cubes will float for several hours without disintegrating.

I also tried the mini cube trays. That was a waste of time and money!

 

[sfin52]

since starting my own food my blue green chromis have spawned

 

[ScottR]

I love Asian markets, get to personally choose your seafood. Just remember any seafood Not frozen, better for sea creatures. Helps possibly for their immune to disease. Thanks for sharing, comrade

I’m fortunate to live on an island. Lots of fresh seafood. And very cheap.

 

[ScottR]

since starting my own food my blue green chromis have spawned

These guys are my only fish in my tank. They’ll love the food. Hopefully they’ll spawn.

 

[sfin52]

24 little neck clams
Qt of oysters
Shrimp
Flounder
Fish eggs
Freeze dried plankton
Vitamins
I place all in a food processor (shh dont tell my wife) spread out on a cookie sheet and frozen. I thin cut up in small pieces and place in freezer bags. Lasts me about 3-4 months

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I’m fortunate to live on an island. Lots of fresh seafood. And very cheap.

I keep forgetting your in Hong Kong. WOW!!!!

 

[sfin52]

I been feeding frozen clams for a long time. Fish color and behavior are great. I freeze them in shell dozen at a time.

Here is the trick, copywriter Paul b.

I buy the clam and bring it home. (Obviously I know). I take my knife and get it into the shell just enough that I can spread the halves just a bit. I take a wood skewer of other item like a lollipop stick and slip it in between the halves. Push the stick in just enough that when you release the knife the clam closes up around it. The clam closing confirms alive, and stick makes a nice lollipop.

When ready to feed, I run the lollipop under hot water for 10-15 seconds. It loosens the flesh just enough to pry it open. It will open easily since the stick held it open, again Paul b. Pop out the meat, slice thin and served with lemon and crackers.

They like oyster crackers

Fully agree on color and helps spawn.