Squamosa Clam Help

fishynewby · Nov 9, 2017

Hey everyone I am currently on the route to starting my first saltwater aquarium. My first tank that I am aiming to have for around a year or two is a 32 gallon Coralife. I plan on having a pair of clowns, a yellow watchman goby, a fire fish or two, a cleaner shrimp, a cardinal fish, and of course your standard live rock and coral. Once I move out of my apartment in a year or two i was planning to upgrade in tank size, but my real reason for the post was wondering if I would be able to have adequate space for a squamosa clam thrive properly in my 32 gallon tank. Dimensions of the tank are 20.2 x 21.9 x 21.5 inches.

kenniole · Nov 9, 2017

Are you planning on replacing the lighting that comes with the cube? The stock lighting wouldn't be sufficient to support a clam in my opinion.

ReefEco · Nov 9, 2017

Sure, you can definitely have a clam. They do grow larger than, for instance, maxima's, but a year or two before you go for the 300 gallon is just right! ; ) Thing about clams is that the smaller they are, the more they rely on actual filter feeding. So, if you can, get one that is 3+ inches, and that way they will have transitioned more to getting their nutrition from their symbiotic algae/light. (any size will benefit from filter feeding foods) A 1" clam you will definitely need to supplement with phytoplankton or other food for filter feeders if you want them to survive, which is less than ideal for an AIO tank that size, since it will effect water quality more than other tanks. CA and Alk are important for them as well. Then lighting - but if you are keeping corals, you'll probably do fine on that front. Tons of good options for a 20" cube. You might need to supplement the LED's that come with that tank's hood, if you are sticking with the hood/cover, and not removing the hood and using an after market light solution. I'm sure there are tons of threads on adding light, and what light, to that specific hood.

ReefEco · Nov 9, 2017

LOL - Kenniole brought up the exact same issue while I was writing my response : )

DSC reef · Nov 9, 2017

I'll go with the same advice as your other post about this question. Yes you can keep a squamosa but it will out grow the tank eventually. Deresa will be the same, fast growing. If your lighting permits go with a crocea or maxima since the growth rate is slower. Life happens so be prepared to rehome the squamosa if your upgrade falls through. You should be able to keep a clam for some time though.

kenniole · Nov 9, 2017

ReefEco said:
LOL - Kenniole brought up the exact same issue while I was writing my response : )

Lol that was just the very first question I figured should be asked before we go into detail about all other clam needs which you covered in your first post.

ReefEco · Nov 9, 2017

No, you are totally right. I just make long-winded posts so inevitably someone more succinct asks the most pertinent question while I'm typing away : )