Is this a blue squamosa?

[Ardeus]

I found it for sale as a squamosa. Seems to be around 5".

 

[OrionN]

That is a Maxima

 

[Ardeus]

Thanks OrionN. It does look like a maxima.

I just asked where it came from and they told me it's a squamosa from the Red Sea.

 

[Ardeus]

I found this picture of red sea squamosas at reefbuilders.

They look very different from the blue squamosas I have seen.

 

[Ardeus]

the one at the bottom right corner looks similar. But is that a squamosa or a maxima? Those black eyes around the mantle look very much like a maxima.

 

[reef lover]

I agree it's not a squammy but live aquaria just got some blue squammys in.

 

[Ardeus]

I live on the other side of the pond, so Liveaquaria is not an option.

I found these on Dejong Marinelife (probably the best distributor in Europe and where the clam I'm looking at came from).

They just name them Tridacna spp. But the name of the file is tridacna-maxima-red-sea-2.jpg.

The scutes on these clams really look like squamosa's scutes.

 

[Asagi]

I wouldn’t buy anything from LA.

Look at Matt’s corals. Guy has some nice ones!

 

[OrionN]

I found this picture of red sea squamosas at reefbuilders.

They look very different from the blue squamosas I have seen.

Of these 6 clams, the two bottom R and bottom L are Maxima IMO. Both the scutes and the pattern of the mantels l point to Maxima.

 

[Ardeus]

Thanks, you're right.

I just received photos where the scutes are visible and it's almost certainly a maxima.

I need a clam that I can keep on the sand and a maxima won't do. I tried it a couple of times and they didn't survive.

Last year I tried to increase my chances by picking the 2 ugliest clams I could find (a derasa and a squamosa) and they have been doing fine.

 

[OrionN]

Make sure you check and treat them for Pyramid parasite snails. You may know about this already but if you don't, this is a likely cause for your clam demise. If you don't know know about it, check this write up:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/categories/fish-disease-and-treatment.11/

Maxima and Crocea, and Noae require brighter light, but they will do fine on the sand. You can also have them on a small rock or shell then place them on the bottom of the tank as long as the light is bright enough.
I keep my all clams on the sand, but I have 8 Radions G3 Pro and G4 Pro on my 6 foot tank, plus some spot lights.
The largest blue is a Maxima, the others are Crocea

This picture I irritated the mantel so it retract to show new growth on the clam. This is a T. noae.

 

[Ardeus]

Beautiful collection, especially the croceas.

I have around 200 par on the sand and I don't have any place for a clam on the rocks, that's the reason the only colorful clam I can get is a blue squamosa.

 

[reef lover]

I wouldn’t buy anything from LA.

Look at Matt’s corals. Guy has some nice ones!

I love these guys! I keep them and austin aquaculture quiet to save their stuff for me! Lol.
Cats outta the bag now!

 

[OrionN]

200 par is too low for Noae, Crocea or Maxima. Consider a focus spot light.

 

[OrionN]

This guy, a blue Squamosa, came from Matt at Austin Aqua Farms

 

[reef lover]

Back one Matt's corals front one austin aqua. Both nice specimens. I need a look down viewer for better pics...

 

[OrionN]

Back one Matt's corals front one austin aqua. Both nice specimens. I need a look down viewer for better pics...

Do you find the pictures of Matt's corals have accurate colors? I wish he use white light instead of blue light. It is really hard to guess to color of the coral and clam under white light which is the light spectrum of light I use on my tank. Austin Aqua Farms pictures are spot on in term of light, and size. This Matt (AAF) have a grid 3 squares equal 2 inches and the colors are absolutely correct, no fudge or boost in coloration. This is really important for WYSIWYG for me. Healthy animals, good price, accurate anh honest representation of the animal on the site. Can't ask for anything more.
Matt at Austin Aqua Farms in the man.

 

[OrionN]

I did no know but Matt, @debutis, of Austin Aqua Farms is a Gold Sponsor here at R2R.

 

[Asagi]

I love these guys! I keep them and austin aquaculture quiet to save their stuff for me! Lol.
Cats outta the bag now!

I got the prettiest baby blue I’ve ever seen from Matt’s recently. I’m all stocked up now. LOL

 

[reef lover]

Do you find the pictures of Matt's corals have accurate colors? I wish he use white light instead of blue light. It is really hard to guess to color of the coral and clam under white light which is the light spectrum of light I use on my tank. Austin Aqua Farms pictures are spot on in term of light, and size. This Matt (AAF) have a grid 3 squares equal 2 inches and the colors are absolutely correct, no fudge or boost in coloration. This is really important for WYSIWYG for me. Healthy animals, good price, accurate anh honest representation of the animal on the site. Can't ask for anything more.
Matt at Austin Aqua Farms in the man.

Matt's corals does tend to run in the blue spectrum but I've found the clams to be true in representation in the pics as they are in person.
Both vendors are top notch and I'd recommend ordering from either. Both are close to the same $$ as well.