Got a clam question? We've got you covered right here.

[Yuki Rihwa]

Will a 120 gallon standard tank (4 foot x 2 foot x 2 foot)be good for housing a Squamosa clam long term? Or will a bigger tank be needed? What minimum tank size would work?

Should be good for long long time.

 

[NanaReefer]

Worried today. 2yrs in my tank and my T. Maxima is acting funky. Not open as much as usual. Are they prone to doing this? Nothing bothering it.
ALK 9.3 Calc 430 Mag 1300 Temp 78°

 

[Sonam]

How do you secure your clams?
How do you keep them from falling off rocks?

Got a new Derasa today and want to make it happy...

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

How do you secure your clams?
How do you keep them from falling off rocks?

Got a new Derasa today and want to make it happy...

Derasa mostly stay on sand bed, if you want it stay on the rock work then make sure the area is flat and wide enough for it to stay, to turn to get its in comfy mode without falling down.

 

[NanaReefer]

Worried today. 2yrs in my tank and my T. Maxima is acting funky. Not open as much as usual. Are they prone to doing this? Nothing bothering it.
ALK 9.3 Calc 430 Mag 1300 Temp 78°

Update:
Clam is doing fine. Thank you for the support [emoji57]

 

[michaeldorian]

Hi everyone. Do you think this is Pinch Mantle Disease? Here are some photos of my clam. Has been alive and awesome for over 2 years. https://imgur.com/a/u7xbj

 

[DSC reef]

Looks like, have you added any other clams? I'd also check for pyramid snails on the clam as well.

 

[michaeldorian]

Looks like, have you added any other clams? I'd also check for pyramid snails on the clam as well.

I have not added any other clams. Did not find any snails. Would you suggest FW dip?

 

[DSC reef]

While freshwater dips work I'd suggest running extra carbon. Read up on freshwater dips before performing one. I've had success with dipping but I also had failures so there's risks involved.

 

[Nart]

Question on PAR lighting for a Derasa clam.
I tried searching through the clam forums, but could not find any information.

To Derasa clam owners,
From your personal experiences, what PAR have you found for them to do best under?
I saw from VividAquariums that they recommend 180-300 PAR. I bought my 3" Derasa clam from Petco and it was opened with mantles out under their T5 bulbs.
I have it in my tank under AI Primes HDs, the PAR reading on my sand bed (which is where I keep the Derasa) is about 140'ish PAR, it is also opened fully with mantles out.

It seems like it's happy, but I am just curious of the PAR you guys are keeping yours at.
Thanks,
Ben

 

[levi83]

If a clam looks bad and falls off its rock it can’t recover right?

 

[DSC reef]

Question on PAR lighting for a Derasa clam.
I tried searching through the clam forums, but could not find any information.

To Derasa clam owners,
From your personal experiences, what PAR have you found for them to do best under?
I saw from VividAquariums that they recommend 180-300 PAR. I bought my 3" Derasa clam from Petco and it was opened with mantles out under their T5 bulbs.
I have it in my tank under AI Primes HDs, the PAR reading on my sand bed (which is where I keep the Derasa) is about 140'ish PAR, it is also opened fully with mantles out.

It seems like it's happy, but I am just curious of the PAR you guys are keeping yours at.
Thanks,
Ben

Should be plenty of light. If the mantle is open and the clam looks healthy I wouldn't be to concerned.

 

[DSC reef]

If a clam looks bad and falls off its rock it can’t recover right?

Typically yes but it depends on the condition of the clam. I wouldn't put it back where it was. If there's adequate lighting I'd leave it be on the bottom of the tank. What type of clam is it?

 

[levi83]

Typically yes but it depends on the condition of the clam. I wouldn't put it back where it was. If there's adequate lighting I'd leave it be on the bottom of the tank. What type of clam is it?

Blue maxima. It has looked bad for 5 days. My Params and lighting are good. My other one is good. This one looks terrible and ripped away from its perch. There is a wad of its bysal threads left on the rock where it sat. I think it’s a goner but now it’s sitting on the bottom. It might be hermit food tomorrow morning.

 

[DSC reef]

That doesn't sound good to be honest. I'd leave it be and hopefully it turns around.

 

[pecan2phat]

What are some of the symptoms or tell tale signs (besides mantle bleaching) that there is too much light for a clam?
I thought I read once that there really isn't too much light for clams in a home aquaria unless your blasting them with 400w MH.

 

[DSC reef]

I've noticed with too much light a clam can stay closed for longer periods of time. But bleaching is what I'd be looking for. Different species matter too.

 

[pecan2phat]

Squamossa, 24" under three XR15 G4 with diffusers (24" is distance from light to clam).
Had the 2.75" clam for 9 weeks now. Originally it was under only 2 XR15s with no diffusers for a 36"x24"x18" tank at the same distance. Then I added a third fixture and then the diffusers. With the 3 fixtures, intensity was set at 75% but after the diffusers, I slowly increased 5% every week until at 100%. (Ecotech stated 25% PAR decrease with these diffusers)
Clam opens fully during the day, incurrent syphon is not overly open, mantle shows very slight movement when open so no overpowering flow hitting the clam directly.
Ca=435ppm, Alk=8.3DKH, Mg=1375ppm, PH=8.1, Temp=77.4, N03=50ppm, P04=.06ppm
My concern is that the clam shows his foot and throws a few thin threads but does not really adhere itself to the flat piece of rock that he is sitting on so every 15 days or so, I need to upright him and the more worrisome concern is that after 9 weeks, I have not seen any new growth on the shell.

 

[DSC reef]

I wouldn't be to worried if the clam looks healthy. That squamosa is on the small side so tipping over is rather easy. It might not be happy in its current location so it won't fully attach. Your parameters seem fine so I'd focus on keeping it stable. Can you post a pic of the little guy.

 

[pecan2phat]

Will do when lights are at high noon.