Clams with current livestock?

[exnisstech]

Hello all. Not sure if this is the right place for this question since it's about livestock rather than clams but concerns keeping clams. I really want to try a clam or two again. I've failed in the past but now that I have a par meter I'm pretty sure I know why. Tank is a 6ft 180 Gallon with a 125 gallon sump in the basement
that has been running for several years. I have bubble tip nems, some softies, some nice LPS, and a few SPS added recently. I'm wondering if my fish would bother a clam. I'm thinking of a Derasa or Hippopus or one of each. Tank is bare bottom so I may have to put a container of sand in or maybe a flat rock. Fish in the tank are as follows, purple tang, naso tang, convict tang, hippo tang, Niger trigger, pair of clowns, 1 blue damsel, 2 chromis of different types, 6 line wrasse, and a bi color blenny, There are also a few snails and some blue leg hermits. I have never seen any signs of fish picking on any coral or even the snails or hermits but have read the blenny may be a concern with a clam? Pic is of the tank as it sits today for reference. I'm hoping since it's a larger tank and I feed pretty heavily twice a day I may be ok but wanted to ask those if you more experienced than myself.

 

[Sean Clark]

The Trigger is my only concern.

 

[Chrisv.]

My biggest concern would be the trigger.

 

[Jdadams]

Your stock list looks pretty safe to me. Triggers are hit or miss though. But it being a niger trigger, I think he’ll be a model citizen. I’d do it.

 

[Chrisv.]

Clams are awesome. I'd start with one. Honestly I might even pull the trigger put in favor of the clams, if needed. Fish are strange. Sometimes fine for years then they get it in their head to try a new food and before you know it, you have the only tang on the planet that eats zoas.

Totally worth the gamble IMHO.

 

[Miami Reef]

A niger is the trigger most likely to be fine with a clam, as they are primarily planktivores.

Triggers with derasa clams can it be done!

Currently have a niger trigger fish. Very good with all corals and fish. Fed very well. Would love to add a derasa clam! What are the chances he leaves it alone. Does anyone currently keep this combination? Or is this a pipe dream!

www.reef2reef.com

That’s the fish expert’s advice in an older thread.

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks. The Niger is pretty mellow. I figured he would eat the hermits but hasn't. I like the idea from the linked thread about putting it in at night. May give it a shot. Only reason I was thinking a Hippopus and a Derasa is because I can get free shipping on 2 so it really wouldn't be that much more for the second one looking at it that way I'm looking at 3+ inch ones from ORA. Local stores only seem to get maximas.

 

[djf91]

It really will depend on the fish. I had to get rid of my Purple tang several months back for nipping at my newly added Maxima clam. Most tangs are supposed to be safe with clams but for whatever reason he was not having it.