Thinking about getting a clam.

Nico2176

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I’ve had my 75 gallon up are running for about a year now, and its done pretty well. I had a clam in there way too early and because of my stupidity it died. Now I have the tank filled with LPS and some soft corals. I also have some easier to keep SPS corals. I just want some opinion on what type of clam to get and the care behind one. I’ve been looking at a maxima for a while now because of it beautiful color, but I’m unsure how to approach this.
 
If you want a maxima make sure you can provide enough light for the clam and have space on your rockwork. Derasa and squamosa would do nicely on the bottom. Some bioload in the tank is necessary. Finding a healthy clam is very important. Try Pacific east aquaculture, biota, etc.
 
Make sure you have no fish that nip. My hippo tang went rogue 6mths ago and ate both my clams. Guess she was extra hungry those days. I looove clams, but this fish will no longer leave them be.
 
Make sure you have no fish that nip. My hippo tang went rogue 6mths ago and ate both my clams. Guess she was extra hungry those days. I looove clams, but this fish will no longer leave them be.
This happens a lot. Even reef safe fish find the mucous the mantle produces irresistible.
 
I had successful keeping maxima clams in my 29 and 75
What I was told from person over 20 years experience full of sps colonies clams don’t like GFO,but I’m not sure if that is true
I don’t run gfo or carbon in both of my tank
 
Make sure you have no fish that nip. My hippo tang went rogue 6mths ago and ate both my clams. Guess she was extra hungry those days. I looove clams, but this fish will no longer leave them be.


Well I'm playing a risky game then, But I have a trap ready to go for if the day comes...

How long did it take to go from nipping to eating?
 
No issues that I noticed for over 2yrs.(how long I had my clams in possession) Then one day I noticed one of the clams was half way across the tank. Hmmm, that’s odd. Why all of a sudden did the clam walk over there? But then, I saw a dive bomb from my hippo, she picked up the whole clam, and swam off!!! I freaked, and tossed in some flake food to get her attention, it worked. I put the clam back and all was well for about 2-3mths. Then bam, clam across the tank, i put it back. The next morning it was across the tank. I put it back before work, came home and the shell was wiped clean.

I upped my feeding, frozen, flake, nori, etc. But sadly only one week later my other clam was harassed and then wiped clean.

My hippo is 7+” and I’ve had her a long time. But man do I love clams too. It’s a tough one for sure...
 
So I ended up getting a derasa clam at my LFS and I placed it on the sand it seems to be doing good. Its around 3 inches, and I don't know if I should feed it. I ordered some phytoplankton from amazon because the phytofeast at my LFS was going to run me $30. Any other information on keeping a derasa calm would be appreciated.
 
I read through all of the stickies on the clam forum yesterday and found them pretty helpful. There are also some YouTube videos pertaining to clams, but they were less helpful than the forum- mainly just eye candy. Good luck with your new clam.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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