Where to buy healthy clams?

[Orcus Varuna]

I am at my wits end with Buying clams from Divers Den. I have tried four over the past few months and all have died within a week and two have gone up in smoke overnight. These clams seem to look great upon receiving but I am guessing they are very sick by the time I get them because of the speed of their death. My water parameters are perfect and I even boosted nutrients a bit prior to getting the clams to give them some goodies to feed on while establishing (SG 1.026, dKH 6.8-7.2, pH 8.0, Ca 440, Mg 1380, PO4 < .03, Nitrate < 10, Temp 80-81). On the recommendation of LA I have been drip acclimating for 3 hrs+ and have been placing them in a low flow low bother area (my very well lit refugium) which removes all sources of irritation. I have plenty of other difficult to care for critters (anemones, acro's etc) and have kept clams successfully in the past. Actually found them previously to be quite bomb proof if provided a good stable environment. My question is where are you all buying and receiving healthy specimens? I am sick of killing a bunch of animals so thank you in advance for any help!

 

[Zack K]

I believe it is tidal Gardens or WWC that breed clams. They have a whole facility dedicated to calms. I have heard good things about both of them so maybe start their?

 

[Orcus Varuna]

Bump

 

[Orcus Varuna]

I know more people have to be buying and keeping clams!

 

[Greybeard]

ORA is farming clams these days.

Used to be a guy named Barry, ran ClamsDirect, but he's been gone for years. Sold some top shelf stuff though...

 

[Orcus Varuna]

ORA is farming clams these days.

Used to be a guy named Barry, ran ClamsDirect, but he's been gone for years. Sold some top shelf stuff though...

I had bought a crocea from clams direct about 5 or 6 years ago. It is no longer under my care but is very much happy and living. I was sad to see they shut down when I got back into the hobby last year

Thanks for the suggestion on ORA clams. I know live aquaria sells clams shipped directly from ORA's FL facility the only thing that keeps me from pressing buy is the size they sell them. 1-1.5" is super tiny and I doubt the success of successfully rearing them from this size. But if anyone has experiences to the contrary I would love to hear!

 

[ocboat]

I have not had great success with those small ORA clams purchased both from LA and LFS's. My past experience with clams is very similar to yours. It seemed like they were almost bullet proof and very easy to keep alive and grow even if you were having problems with other tank inhabitants. I have tried several times in the last year with various clams with little to no success even though my SPS are growing well and holding color and my Magnifica anemone and two Gigantea anemones are thriving. However in the last two to three months I have bought a Cocos Island Squamosa and a Derasa, both from my LFS that purchased them from a guy in California. These are finally doing well and have actually put on growth since I have had them. Since these have been doing well, I just purchased a 4" blue maxima from the same dealer/wholesaler combo. It seems that a lot of the clams for sale these days are not doing well when purchased. All of the clams that I have lost over the last year showed no shell growth which makes me think that they were starving and on their way out before I even purchased them.

 

[Orcus Varuna]

I have not had great success with those small ORA clams purchased both from LA and LFS's. My past experience with clams is very similar to yours. It seemed like they were almost bullet proof and very easy to keep alive and grow even if you were having problems with other tank inhabitants. I have tried several times in the last year with various clams with little to no success even though my SPS are growing well and holding color and my Magnifica anemone and two Gigantea anemones are thriving. However in the last two to three months I have bought a Cocos Island Squamosa and a Derasa, both from my LFS that purchased them from a guy in California. These are finally doing well and have actually put on growth since I have had them. Since these have been doing well, I just purchased a 4" blue maxima from the same dealer/wholesaler combo. It seems that a lot of the clams for sale these days are not doing well when purchased. All of the clams that I have lost over the last year showed no shell growth which makes me think that they were starving and on their way out before I even purchased them.

The observation about the lack of new growth upon purchase is spot on. I'm going to reef-a-palooza tomorrow and will hunt around and see if anyone has good looking ones with nice solid growth bands. I'd love to pick their brain and see if they have any insight or input.

 

[hart24601]

The observation about the lack of new growth upon purchase is spot on. I'm going to reef-a-palooza tomorrow and will hunt around and see if anyone has good looking ones with nice solid growth bands. I'd love to pick their brain and see if they have any insight or input.

Update?

 

[NickK]

I've ordered 2 clams from Live Aquaria. They both arrived healthy. I didn't acclimate the first one slow enough and he showed signs of Pinched Mantle disease after a couple days and went on a slow decline. The second one has been thriving for over a month now.

Watch the salinity when you drip acclimate. It can take a long time for the shipping water to match the tank water. even longer than 3 hours if there is a significant difference

 

[Orcus Varuna]

I've ordered 2 clams from Live Aquaria. They both arrived healthy. I didn't acclimate the first one slow enough and he showed signs of Pinched Mantle disease after a couple days and went on a slow decline. The second one has been thriving for over a month now.

Watch the salinity when you drip acclimate. It can take a long time for the shipping water to match the tank water. even longer than 3 hours if there is a significant difference

I'm curious did you buy divers den clams or live aquaria ones shipped from quality marine in California?

 

[Orcus Varuna]

That is a gorgeous clam by the way

 

[NickK]

That is a gorgeous clam by the way

Thanks! Divers Den both times.

 

[Biglurr54]

I am ready to buy a clam but I could imagine spending the $150 for a clam that has a 50% survival rate! There's a few lfs in NYC that have blue clams. Would I be better off buying one from there? Any other tips or places to buy healthy clams online?

 

[Orcus Varuna]

I am ready to buy a clam but I could imagine spending the $150 for a clam that has a 50% survival rate! There's a few lfs in NYC that have blue clams. Would I be better off buying one from there? Any other tips or places to buy healthy clams online?

If you live in NYC pieces of the ocean has beautiful clams they just typically run about $150+.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have found the best clams and healthiest when I can go get them personally. I ask where they were harvested or grown. Look for pests, proper functioning (light retractions), no torn foot, etc.

I have never ordered a clam but have raised many from tiny to larger. I found so far the perfect maxima (as these seem to be the hardest to get longevity on in my system) was 4" in size and was harvested from Marshall Islands (I think I remember that right). I got it in Chicago at the Aquatic Experience. It is gorgeous and has been through the ringer in my tank. It is currently residing in a homemade prison due to my puffer. It is still happy though.

I am sorry you have been having bad luck. Clams are tricky creatures.

 

[VelasCorals]

Pacificeastaquaculture.com for sure!

 

[Orcus Varuna]

Thank you for the leads on getting some healthier specimens, it is much appreciated. From this thread and insight from some other fellow reefers the consensus list seems to be as follows, in no particular order.

1. Divers Den - cocos aquacultured clams the night they post only (something about divers den keeping clams in very nutrient poor waters)
2. Pieces of the Ocean
3. Reefwise
4. Pacific East Aquaculture

I will be ordering from one of these vendors in the next few months and will update. I Probably will order a DD Cocos clam, the guarantee unfortunately can't be beat. If that fails then one of the other 3 vendors will be next. Thanks again for your help everyone!

 

[TL Reefs]

We also carry a selection of clams. Right now we have Tahiti Maximas in stock. The cultured ones are generally more hardy than the wild ones, but they are also smaller.

https://tlreefs.com/collections/clams-1

 

[NickK]

Wooooo TL! We need a NSFW warning before you post pictures like that! ;Wideyed Those clams are beautiful!