New Clam Owner: is my Maxima looking Okay?

[roberthu526]

Update: the clam fell off the rock last night so I put it back this morning. Tonight after I got back home I noticed the byssal threads coming down from the opening at the bottom and attached to the rock! This is a positive sign right?

 

[roberthu526]

Not sure if you can see clearly but took a pic with a flash light

 

[ReefJunky]

I've kept several different Tridacna species over the years and even had tanks dedicated to them, but I still have much to learn so everyone please chime in and comment.

If it has started to attached itself with byssal threads then it's happy where it is and the foot/byssal gland should be in good shape and healthy.

Just an FYI, when I had clams they were always kept under 250 watt 15,000K HQI double ended metal halides and I had great success. I did try LEDs but their colors faded and never came back even after being returned to the metal halide lighting. I had a couple of golden/orange tiger striped crocea that faded under LEDs and made me cry that I took the chance and their color was utterly ruined by LEDs. IMHO, metal halides which are closer to day light are the best way to go unless your keeping derasa or gigas which occur at the lowest depths for Tridacna clams. A great book on Tridacna clams is "Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium" by James Fatherree. I think everyone will agree that it's the "bible" of keeping giant clams in the home aquarium and Professional aquarium too.

 

[DSC reef]

@roberthu526 that's a positive sign. Also, there so many variables for someone to state leds ruined colors on clams. Plenty of clams are grown under led lights so I hope this is not derailed into another which light is better thread...

 

[roberthu526]

@roberthu526 that's a positive sign. Also, there so many variables for someone to state leds ruined colors on clams. Plenty of clams are grown under led lights so I hope this is not derailed into another which light is better thread...

Thank you! I do have the tank under four Radios so we shall see how it turns out. I plan to tune the lights up after a couple of days and possibly move the rock up after a week or so.

 

[ReefJunky]

@DSC reef I'm sorry, my intention was not to derail (or attemp to derail) this thread to a discussion of which lighting system is better. I hope it doesn't. When I say that LEDs ruined the colors of my clams, I meant that the colors became dull and muddy. As for the health of the clams... they seemed to be healthy, just not as vibrant. I just was extremely disappointed with the change in coloration which never came back after going back to being under metal halides. But I will also say that I switched to LEDs not long after they were introduced to the hobby so that tells you how long ago it was. I'm sure the advancements in the technology of the LEDs used today are much better than ~12 years ago. I don't use LEDs over my tanks so I can't comment about the current fixtures. But I do want to say that the intensity and spectral quality is important and that can certainly be provided by the LEDs used in todays lighting systems! In the beginning... I have my doubts, but that's all in the past.

 

[B0brobert]

A great book on Tridacna clams is "Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium" by James Fatherree. I think everyone will agree that it's the "bible" of keeping giant clams in the home aquarium and Professional aquarium too.

I know that James Fatherree is working on a new book on clams.

 

[ReefJunky]

I know that James Fatherree is working on a new book on clams.

Oh Sweet!!! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[hart24601]

Happy to see the threads, good sign for sure.

Believe me I know how to stress over clams, but even if the foot was damaged or gone the advise would be the same. Put in a spot with good par where nothing picks at it. Except for some limited circumstances which are not even universally agreed upon, we don't have many other options than "leave it alone"!

 

[roberthu526]

Happy to see the threads, good sign for sure.

Believe me I know how to stress over clams, but even if the foot was damaged or gone the advise would be the same. Put in a spot with good par where nothing picks at it. Except for some limited circumstances which are not even universally agreed upon, we don't have many other options than "leave it alone"!

Exactly! The best we can do is provide good water and leave it alone. It looks like the little guy has settled down. I am going to try to tune the lights up a bit today.

 

[DeniseAndy]

One thing these baby maximas hate it getting knocked over or moved. They prefer to move themselves and be left alone. Good to see some byssal threads coming out. Hopefully he attaches so you do not have to worry about him being knocked off. Cute little guy. I hope he does well for you.

 

[roberthu526]

One thing these baby maximas hate it getting knocked over or moved. They prefer to move themselves and be left alone. Good to see some byssal threads coming out. Hopefully he attaches so you do not have to worry about him being knocked off. Cute little guy. I hope he does well for you.

Thank you!
Yes he’s finally holding himself up nicely. I think he’s attached to the rock pretty well now.