My first clam

[b4tn]

I have been wanting a clam for so long! I finally found one I thought was decent priced and looked healthy. It has not opened up fully yet but it’s only been in the tank for about 30 minutes after drip acclimating for an hour.

I did not expect for it to be so reactive. It starts to come out and even the slightest shadow it retracts again. The best place I have for it is a place where my fish tend to gather so every time they swim over it retracts. Should I move it to a less busy spot? Or will it adapt? I’m trying to get it to attach to the plate but it’s holding a tiny piece of rock instead. I’m hoping it grabs on so it will be easy to move. Is there anything else I should know thats not already common knowledge? Any tips would be awesome.

 

[Sosuke]

Don't put it on its side put it so the mantle is facing towards the light

 

[b4tn]

Don't put it on its side put it so the mantle is facing towards the light

Its attached to a small piece of rock rubble so I can’t get it to sit facing up. I’m assuming that as it gets more comfortable it will self adjust? It’s already tipped it self up a bit more.

 

[Sosuke]

See what happens observe it closely and then it will hopefully tilt up in time

 

[Arthacker87]

Keeping the foot down will keep stuff from pestering it. They love light so as they said mantle should be facing up. Any time I put my arm over my light and a shadow is cast it will retract a bit and mine is big and comfy in its spot. I'd put it up with a bigger rock you can put rubble in so it is put up. Great looking clam though!!!

 

[Arthacker87]

Top down pic

 

[b4tn]

So I do have a spot about midway up in the tank that I could position it better. I was kind of hoping to put it on the bottom though just because I have coral plans for that rock lol. I might have some rubble I can temporarily put on the sides to prop it up though.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Nice maxima. How large is it? It looks like a baby (under 2"). These guys will get really upset if you move them too much. It will adjust to the things passing over it. Make sure to feed it regularly. Meaning, blow off rocks and bottom, add some reef roid type stuff every other day. Make sure nothing is bothering it. Good luck!

 

[b4tn]

Nice maxima. How large is it? It looks like a baby (under 2"). These guys will get really upset if you move them too much. It will adjust to the things passing over it. Make sure to feed it regularly. Meaning, blow off rocks and bottom, add some reef roid type stuff every other day. Make sure nothing is bothering it. Good luck!

Thanks, it’s about 2 1/2 -3” I got home from bowling with the fam and one of the fish or snails knocked it off the frag plate and flow had brought it to a corner. I went ahead and moved it to the rocks about mid tank level to a spot that gets about the same amount of light as the bottom spot. Probably 150-200 PAR. I pulled a piece of rubble from the sump to help stabilize it.

 

[Arthacker87]

Make sure you didnt sandwich it between rocks so it can't open!!! I like mine on substrate as well. It's a tough thing to state but I think clams are my favorite thing about reefing

 

[ca1ore]

Maxima clams require very high light levels. Clearly some people do put them on the sand bed, but I have always preferred to put them as high up as possible.

 

[b4tn]

Is this to much flow? I placed it higher up on rock since it would not attach. Now it’s attached but I feel like it’s getting to much turbulent flow.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Give it a few days and see if it opens more. If not, direct the flow differently.They can handle some flow, just not too much.

 

[Arthacker87]

Agreed if ya keep moving it, it might get stressed. My par level on dandbed is around 150 to 200 and seems to like it. I know they like a lot of light.

 

[b4tn]

I only moved it once since adding to the tank. I’m more worried about it getting to much flow. Light wise it’s getting 150-200 PAR. Even if I wanted to move it though Im out of luck now. It’s foot is attached to the rock.

 

[b4tn]

Seems situated so far. It has moved a bit kind of situating itself against a rock. is it fully open? This is the most I have seen it open so far and I can see it’s mouth clearly pumping water. I’m not sure how much a small clam can filter water and it might be coincidence, but I swear my tank has never been so crystal clear like it has been the past few days