The differences in clams?

[Shibaken3]

What are the differences between maxima,derasa,squamosa, and crocea?
The only difference I can see is the maximum size they get, and the light requirement.
Are there other differences that I'm missing?

 

[Rtaylor]

What are the differences between maxima,derasa,squamosa, and crocea?
The only difference I can see is the maximum size they get, and the light requirement.
Are there other differences that I'm missing?

They are all clams from the same family….so they are similar. The patterns/coloration, size, etc. varies between species…..what else would you expect to vary between invertebrates that are closely related?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Also depends on placement. I have limited aquascape so I prefer a sand dwelling species like derasa or squamosa. All are beautiful additions. Just personal preference. Biota is having a sale atm. Some nice clams available

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

My old derasa. Had a good run but went unexpectedly. And the new squamosa big shoes to fill fingers x

 

[Shibaken3]

They are all clams from the same family….so they are similar. The patterns/coloration, size, etc. varies between species…..what else would you expect to vary between invertebrates that are closely related?

oh just wanted to make sure if there are differences that I missed from my research before I get one. for example, candy cane shrimp and tiger shrimp are very similar but the tiger is bolder and more aggressive than the candy cane. Wanted to know if x clam is better than y clam.

 

[Waters]

Some clams (such as crocea) are rock boring clams while others prefer to sit on the sandbed.

 

[Shibaken3]

Also depends on placement. I have limited aquascape so I prefer a sand dwelling species like derasa or squamosa. All are beautiful additions. Just personal preference. Biota is having a sale atm. Some nice clams available

Very cool picture of your clam. I read that derasa were for beginner so going to try out my first clam with derasa. I'll definitely check out Biota.

 

[minus9]

Crocea, maxima and noae need high light, crocea being the most demanding. These three species are found in solid rock structures or within coral colonies. The other species get very big and usually sit on flat or sandy areas of the reef. They are all found in shallow waters, but gigas, squamosa, derasa and hippopus are found in slightly deeper water. Croceas are the smallest species that we keep and they max out about 4" to 5", which takes forever. Whereas maxima get much bigger 7" to 8", but can get to 12" or more (noae about the same as maxima). The size from largest to smallest goes gigas, derasa, squamosa, hippopus, maxima/noae, then crocea.

 

[i cant think]

What are the differences between maxima,derasa,squamosa, and crocea?
The only difference I can see is the maximum size they get, and the light requirement.
Are there other differences that I'm missing?

Their shells are different as well as where they prefer to be placed. Deresa has a much flatter shell and the others all have those ripples in their shells. I personally prefer the Deresa and Squamosa clams (These are the two I plan for), these two I believe are much easier to care for and good starting clams. I started out with a Deresa and he has doubled in size in the past 2 months since being in a tank where I’m able to care for him better.
Lighting requirements and food are also a difference. I believe Maxima/Noae and Crocea need to be babied more as juveniles.
This is my early morning photo of my Tridacna deresa

 

[i cant think]

Also one thing that confused me was when people talk about seeing the white new growth. I used to think this was seen in the outside of the shell however it’s the very edge of the shell once the mantle has retracted. What I mean by this is;

this isn’t the best photo as he hasn’t retracted fully however that white rim just under where the mantle would be if fully extended is a sign of new growth.

You may get your clam and it’ll be totally white shelled, this is just a sign that life hasn’t taken onto the shell of the clam - You’ll rarely see a totally white shell of a clam that is established in someone’s reef tank. This is what my clam looked like when I first got him (Photo is from my RS Max Nano days). It’s almost completely white with that small bit of life growing, that white was gone after a few months.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Their shells are different as well as where they prefer to be placed. Deresa has a much flatter shell and the others all have those ripples in their shells. I personally prefer the Deresa and Squamosa clams (These are the two I plan for), these two I believe are much easier to care for and good starting clams. I started out with a Deresa and he has doubled in size in the past 2 months since being in a tank where I’m able to care for him better.
Lighting requirements and food are also a difference. I believe Maxima/Noae and Crocea need to be babied more as juveniles.
This is my early morning photo of my Tridacna deresa

Appreciate the natural light.

 

[i cant think]

Appreciate the natural light.

Definitely! Every morning it hits the clam and the clam just glows under it. My corals also look nice but nothing shows as much colour as the clam.