Help with Maxima Clam

[Chris Spaulding]

I have a Maxima clam that I brought home 3 days ago. I dripped acclimated the clam for a little more than an hr. I inspected VERY closely for pyramid snails, nothing. Placed the clam on flat clam rock at bottom of tank. The clam has retreated its mantel and not extending less each day. Clam has fast and strong reaction to movement. I have constantly watched no picking at mantel from any fish.Tangs have pecked at shell but not close to mantel.
Par at Clam 240
Alk 7.9 Dkh
Cal 410
Mag 1390
Po4 0.04 Hanna
No3 6.8 Hanna
Salinity 1.025

ICP last week nothing concerning other than Potassium slightly elevated and Strontium a little low.

More light?
Just more time?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It needs more light. The clam isn’t showing growth, it might not have been well before you got it. Maxima usually is placed on rock not sand.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

The clam is on a rock just under the sand I placed it low for starters. Should I move it up right away?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a Maxima clam that I brought home 3 days ago. I dripped acclimated the clam for a little more than an hr. I inspected VERY closely for pyramid snails, nothing. Placed the clam on flat clam rock at bottom of tank. The clam has retreated its mantel and not extending less each day. Clam has fast and strong reaction to movement. I have constantly watched no picking at mantel from any fish.Tangs have pecked at shell but not close to mantel.
Par at Clam 240
Alk 7.9 Dkh
Cal 410
Mag 1390
Po4 0.04 Hanna
No3 6.8 Hanna
Salinity 1.025

ICP last week nothing concerning other than Potassium slightly elevated and Strontium a little low.

More light?
Just more time?

How its laid on sand not satisfactory. Placed on a cupped rock which represents a cradle. hey need something solid to bore those byssal filaments into. And sand will not work. A little about your maxima. . . . Clams can be rewarding and colorful but there are a few precautions:
Temperature not to exceed 80
Ca not to exceed 450
Ph not to exceed 8.3
Alk not to exceed 11
Salinity best at 1.025
Nitrate not to exceed 8
Moderate water flow
Good lighting

They’re a sensitive species. You CAN’T allow ammonia, nitrite, or even nitrates to build up. This means adhering to a strict schedule of 25% water changes every week. Set up dosing to provide the trace elements the clam will need to survive if you can’t. Fluctuations in temperature, oxygen levels, pH, or alkalinity can make your maxima unhappy. Maxima clams also need light and lots of it which fuels the photosynthesis carried out by the zooxanthellae within their mantle. Without proper light, the clam will starve.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

When I bought the clam its Mantel was fully extended just 3 days agao

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

How old is the tank?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

And is the byssal gland attatched to the cradle?

 

[Nburg's Reef]

Not an expert, but I do know maxima need tons and tons of light (can be found in a few feet of water in the wild) and they do like a little bit of nitrates and certain waterborne food when smaller. They are also prone to being nipped at by certain fish.

Looks like a beauty tho, so I hope you're able to find a spot it likes.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

How its laid on sand not satisfactory. Placed on a cupped rock which represents a cradle. hey need something solid to bore those byssal filaments into. And sand will not work. A little about your maxima. . . . Clams can be rewarding and colorful but there are a few precautions:
Temperature not to exceed 80
Ca not to exceed 450
Ph not to exceed 8.3
Alk not to exceed 11
Salinity best at 1.025
Nitrate not to exceed.8
Moderate water flow
Good lighting

They’re a sensitive species. You CAN’T allow ammonia, nitrite, or even nitrates to build up. This means adhering to a strict schedule of 25% water changes every week. Set up dosing to provide the trace elements the clam will need to survive if you can’t. Fluctuations in temperature, oxygen levels, pH, or alkalinity can make your maxima unhappy. Maxima clams also need light and lots of it which fuels the photosynthesis carried out by the zooxanthellae within their mantle. Without proper light, the clam will starve.

Temp 78
ph 8.1 bottom height 8.4 Apex
lighting 240 par can easily raise higher in tank

How old is the tank?

16 months old

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Any angels?

 

[vetteguy53081]

It needs more light. The clam isn’t showing growth, it might not have been well before you got it. Maxima usually is placed on rock not sand.

bottom is ideal spot, just no sand. Make sure the rock is cupped and Not flat

 

[Chris Spaulding]

And is the byssal gland attatched to the cradle?

Yes it is attached to the cradel

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Any angels?

Swallow tail have not seen her near clam

 

[Dburr1014]

I have a Maxima clam that I brought home 3 days ago. I dripped acclimated the clam for a little more than an hr. I inspected VERY closely for pyramid snails, nothing. Placed the clam on flat clam rock at bottom of tank. The clam has retreated its mantel and not extending less each day. Clam has fast and strong reaction to movement. I have constantly watched no picking at mantel from any fish.Tangs have pecked at shell but not close to mantel.
Par at Clam 240
Alk 7.9 Dkh
Cal 410
Mag 1390
Po4 0.04 Hanna
No3 6.8 Hanna
Salinity 1.025

ICP last week nothing concerning other than Potassium slightly elevated and Strontium a little low.

More light?
Just more time?

How big is the clam?
Did you watch the person take it out and put it in the bag or cup? Was it attached to something?

It is attached now, good.
Is concerning that it has no new growth. I must say, 240 par, imo, is enough. The mantel, if extended, will get enough.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

bottom is ideal spot, just no sand. Make sure the rock is cupped and Not flat

This is the cradle

 

[Dburr1014]

Do get it out /off the sand.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

How big is the clam?
Did you watch the person take it out and put it in the bag or cup? Was it attached to something?

It is attached now, good.
Is concerning that it has no new growth. I must say, 240 par, imo, is enough. The mantel, if extended, will get enough.

Was not attached. Watched him place in bag no Air in bag . Was at Reef Stock show.
It is attached to cradle now

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Do get it out /off the sand.

Cradle on sand not under now

 

[Chris Spaulding]

How big is the clam?
Did you watch the person take it out and put it in the bag or cup? Was it attached to something?

It is attached now, good.
Is concerning that it has no new growth. I must say, 240 par, imo, is enough. The mantel, if extended, will get enough.

Clam is 4.5 inches

 

[vetteguy53081]

Swallow tail have not seen her near clam

swallowtail wont touch it. Neither did my flame and coral beauty go near it.
Larger angels like majestic, regal, etc will be an issue.
Mine of 2+ years: