HUGE clam question

[Will Gorgan]

I’ve always wondered why when I bring a big clam home and put it in my tank, it does awesome and when I get like a 2” clam, it ends up dying. Is it because they’re more vulnerable to small changes and everything at a young point or no?

 

[Peach02]

I’ve always wondered why when I bring a big clam home and put it in my tank, it does awesome and when I get like a 2” clam, it ends up dying. Is it because they’re more vulnerable to small changes and everything at a young point or no?

smaller clams are more fragile however it also depends on placement, light intensity, calcium levels etc and if its small phytoplankton should help

 

[DSC reef]

With cultured clams it really shouldn't be an issue these days depending on the source. Typically larger clams are wild caught and can be just as hard to keep alive due to high light requirements, disease, ect. Smaller clams can require a light acclimation but depending on the source they are just as easy to grow. IME and reading, feeding clams won't hurt but is not necessary in keeping small clams alive at all. Tanks chemistry, amount of fish in the system for ammonia/phosphorus absorption in the mantle, fish nipping on a smaller clam will play a role.

 

[jda]

Larger clams are always easier. They get to where they have a large basis for zoox and have more margin for error. They can also process and handle more food (sugars from the zoox as well as digesting the excess). Other than the wild tahitians, I have never had an issue with clams over 5-6 inches. I just got 12"+ squamosa and deresa that just keep chugging along... these things never skipped a beat even after a move.