Help with my clam purchase!

[underwaterdan]

I was at the lfs today and I saw these clams. Part time kid didn't know what kind they were. Can anyone help with id and if they are a fair price at 79 bucks each. I feel they may be a little small and from my limited understanding may be harder to care for because of that.

 

[Mat1018]

Looks like maxima clams to me. Price is normal giving to size, colors, and patterns. I've seen prices from 50$ to couple hundred.

 

[underwaterdan]

Ok. Thanks. Any one look more healthy than the others? I'm guessing they are all about 2-3 inches...

 

[Mat1018]

It's hard to tell how healthy any are in just pictures. They all look like the mantle is fully extended and vibrant. A test I like to do on clams Is move my hand over them to cast a shadow they should retract pretty fast. I know it's probably not a good way of telling but it's my little thing I like to do.

 

[underwaterdan]

Ok ill try that. I'm also hesitant because they just got them in, if I can hold out i feel like I should let them sit a few days to make sure they are healthy. They just got them on Saturday.

 

[RMS18]

Find out if they are farm raised or not, also I like to let new items sit at my lfs for at least a week before I buy anything.

 

[underwaterdan]

I will check but seeing as the guy didn't even know what kind they were I assume he won't know it will lie about them being farm raised. I try and let my stuff sit at the lfs for Atleast a week but this time I feel if I don't jump on these someone else will. I have heard they are a fair price at 79 bucks but can't seem to confirm. Online they are a bit cheaper but the $40 shipping kills it as does the chance they show up sick.

 

[joshkirkland83]

I will check but seeing as the guy didn't even know what kind they were I assume he won't know it will lie about them being farm raised. I try and let my stuff sit at the lfs for Atleast a week but this time I feel if I don't jump on these someone else will. I have heard they are a fair price at 79 bucks but can't seem to confirm. Online they are a bit cheaper but the $40 shipping kills it as does the chance they show up sick.

You can tell what kind they are by their bysuss gate. Its on the bottom. Big gate=maxima/crocea. Small gate=derasa

 

[underwaterdan]

I am going to go to the lfs in an hour or so. If I get one do I place him on the rock where I want him or do the Tupperware with rubble rock thing? I have some new coral so I have my lights set for acclamation mode for the next week or so anyway.

 

[RMS18]

I will check but seeing as the guy didn't even know what kind they were I assume he won't know it will lie about them being farm raised. I try and let my stuff sit at the lfs for Atleast a week but this time I feel if I don't jump on these someone else will. I have heard they are a fair price at 79 bucks but can't seem to confirm. Online they are a bit cheaper but the $40 shipping kills it as does the chance they show up sick.

Look at divers den they have them, they're maxima clams I'm 99% sure. Maxima clams are imo the best looking but hardest to keep. Derasa are more plain like mine, but easier to keep. I paid $75 for my clam it's a little more than 3.5 inches but derasa clams are a bit cheaper.

 

[RMS18]

I am going to go to the lfs in an hour or so. If I get one do I place him on the rock where I want him or do the Tupperware with rubble rock thing? I have some new coral so I have my lights set for acclamation mode for the next week or so anyway.

If you place him on a rock and he attaches his foot that will be his home. Maximas like to be on rocks not sand. I'd put him on some coral rubble or a small pieces of rock so you could move him later on. As I'm sure they are maxima clams they require as much light as sps corals, if you can keep sps you can keep a maxima.

 

[underwaterdan]

I can keep sps I have two radion pro fixtures for my 150 I just wasn't sure if the clam being that low would be an issue. I'm going to place him on the sand on top of some rubble I think. Hopefully that'll work. They need good flow I read so I'll have to find someplace on the sand that had good flow, sand and good flow don't always go hand in hand.

 

[joshkirkland83]

I am going to go to the lfs in an hour or so. If I get one do I place him on the rock where I want him or do the Tupperware with rubble rock thing? I have some new coral so I have my lights set for acclamation mode for the next week or so anyway.

If those are maxima/crocea they are light hogs. They prefer to be attached to rock.

 

[underwaterdan]

They look like maxima to me but I don't really know. I can't tell their valve size. Anyone else have an opinion on what they are?
I have a perfect spot on the rock to put him as long as he puts his foot down so he doesn't get pushed off by a snail.

 

[underwaterdan]

I talked to the owner today and he informed me they are cook island maxima clams. I had to get one because they were nearly sold out only two left!
So I got him and he's in a great spot in my aquarium and doing well so far. Did an hour long drip...

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Say no to small clams. They are really hard to keep alive even in perfect parameters.

 

[underwaterdan]

Well we will see what happens he is doing well. He's between 2.5 - 3 inches so not terribly small.

 

[underwaterdan]

clam is doing well. I feel that he is not opening as much as he used to, is this typical? He has put his foot down in about 15 hours and he isn't movable now, so I assume he likes it.