Large Clam Hosting Clowns

MaddyP · May 8, 2017

Stumbled upon this unique relationship while looking at tonga branch for my new build. LFS in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Yes, the clownfish are swimming inside the clam. Entering one side and exiting the other...

And for size reference!

Labridaedicted · May 8, 2017

Hm. Well... That's fascinating. I don't recall ever seeing them inside the clam before

AcroNem · May 8, 2017

Holy gigas, I didn't think hobbyists really got these in anymore. At the facility I work at we have a large T. gigas that our clowns will swim in and out of as well. It does get rather stressed at times, we try our hardest to not let it happen, will be moving the clowns out soon. Cool you got to see it! Must be a great store.

Waters · May 8, 2017

I am kind of shocked the clam even allows it....anytime a fish gets anywhere near my clams, they slam shut.

MaddyP · May 8, 2017

AcroNem said:
Holy gigas, I didn't think hobbyists really got these in anymore. At the facility I work at we have a large T. gigas that our clowns will swim in and out of as well. It does get rather stressed at times, we try our hardest to not let it happen, will be moving the clowns out soon. Cool you got to see it! Must be a great store.

Ha, I'm surprised the store is able to keep it alive! Most of their livestock is riddled with disease and pests. I only visit for their large supply of tonga branch. This guy takes up nearly half of a 100 gallon tank...

MaddyP · May 8, 2017

Labridaedicted said:
Hm. Well... That's fascinating. I don't recall ever seeing them inside the clam before

Right?? It caught me by surprise too.

AcroNem · May 8, 2017

MaddyP said:
Ha, I'm surprised the store is able to keep it alive! Most of their livestock is riddled with disease and pests. I only visit for their large supply of tonga branch. This guy takes up nearly half of a 100 gallon tank...

Well nevermind then, the only things I see in the picture look okay. I'm glad the clam is healthy at least. Yeah the clam will close up if it gets bumped or touched by the clown swimming through it, I'm really surprised that one of ours hasn't been caught in it yet.

MaddyP · May 8, 2017

AcroNem said:
Well nevermind then, the only things I see in the picture look okay. I'm glad the clam is healthy at least. Yeah the clam will close up if it gets bumped or touched by the clown swimming through it, I'm really surprised that one of ours hasn't been caught in it yet.

Maybe like an anemone, the clam has learned the "feel" of the clowns and trusts them for protection? It is indeed interesting. I did a google search and found a few instances where clams host clowns internally, but none of this size.

Earl Coleman · May 8, 2017

Scott of MileHighReefer in Co seems to have a similar set up for quite a while now with a large squamosa. It's cool and all but the main reason I don't like clownfish, except maybe in their own tank with nems...in the DT they always seem to get into the wrong things, like open brains, clams, etc.