Why can’t I keep a clam

[NickK]

I have tried 6 different maxima calms from an online retailer and they all die in the first 2 weeks. This particular retailer has a great warranty policy, so the keep refunding me, and I keep trying. I have a 6 year old aquarium full of large SPS and LPS colonies grown from frags. I’m pretty confident in my water chemistry.

The clams arrive healthy and go down hill over the next 2 weeks. I don’t think it’s an acclimation issue, but I have tried different methods. They usually look good after acclimation.

My only guess is my African Flameback is picking at the clams, but I’ve never seen him pick at the mantle.

I would love to keep a maxima. That’s the last animal I want to add.

Any ideas?

 

[Hemmdog]

I have tried 6 different maxima calms from an online retailer and they all die in the first 2 weeks. This particular retailer has a great warranty policy, so the keep refunding me, and I keep trying. I have a 6 year old aquarium full of large SPS and LPS colonies grown from frags. I’m pretty confident in my water chemistry.

The clams arrive healthy and go down hill over the next 2 weeks. I don’t think it’s an acclimation issue, but I have tried different methods. They usually look good after acclimation.

My only guess is my African Flameback is picking at the clams, but I’ve never seen him pick at the mantle.

I would love to keep a maxima. That’s the last animal I want to add.

Any ideas?

Just making sure, you are putting them on rocks correct?

 

[JoshH]

@DSC reef might have an idea about what's going on

What lights do you currently have over your system? What's your acclimation process for your new clams?

 

[DSC reef]

Curious where they are coming from. Could be sick clams to begin with. 2 weeks is very quick to perish. That's a lot of clams that die in a short time from one supplier. Tank is definitely mature.

 

[NickK]

Just making sure, you are putting them on rocks correct?

Yep, I put them on a large flat piece of live rock that I keep in the aquarium and they usually attach within the first 3 days.

 

[MSB123]

Curious where they are coming from. Could be sick clams to begin with. 2 weeks is very quick to perish. That's a lot of clams that die in a short time from one supplier. Tank is definitely mature.

Maybe LA?
They have had a pretty bad track record. Could also be light shock- @NickK how have you light acclimated them?

 

[NickK]

@DSC reef might have an idea about what's going on

What lights do you currently have over your system? What's your acclimation process for your new clams?

I have a Gen 3 Radion running the AB+ setting.

The acclimation method I like the most is to match the salinity in the bag and get them out of the bag water immediately. If the salinity is different from my display tank, I drip acclimate until the salinity matches my tank over a few hours.

 

[MSB123]

I have a Gen 3 Radion running the AB+ setting.

The acclimation method I like the most is to match the salinity in the bag and get them out of the bag water immediately. If the salinity is different from my display tank, I drip acclimate until the salinity matches my tank over a few hours.

Where did you get them?

 

[MSB123]

And you don’t light acclimate?

 

[NickK]

Maybe LA?
They have had a pretty bad track record. Could also be light shock- @NickK how have you light acclimated them?

Yep, LA.

I don’t want to talk too bad about them, because they usually look good when they arrive and they have been very generous with their warranty.

I keep them on the bottom of a 24” deep tank until they attach and then move them up around 8”.

 

[NickK]

And you don’t light acclimate?

I keep them on the bottom of a 24” deep tank until they attach and then move them up around 8”.

 

[NickK]

Where did you get them?

LA

 

[DSC reef]

Unfortunately it's not your tank, LA has a clam issue. I've experienced it and so have many other very experienced tridacna keepers. I'm sure there is no new shell growth when you get them. Don't judge a healthy clam by a good looking mantle and extension. I'd give Pacific east aquaculture a try. Maybe wait a few months, who knows what came in on the clams from LA.

 

[jda]

You can talk bad about Live Aquaria for clams... nearly nobody has clams survive from them. I had to quit getting clams from them and I can usually keep them alive.

 

[littlelise1985]

I only ordered one clam from LA and it has been doing very well in my tank for the last 6 months. My tank is only 7 months old.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Cuz clams die

 

[DSC reef]

Typically not healthy clams in the correct conditions.

 

[DJ H]

They need a crap load of calcium

 

[hart24601]

Were they from LA California, divers den Wisconsin or ORA Florida? The website has 3 locations depending on the section.

I have had poor results repeatedly with divers den, however the ORA from FL have looked great. No experience with the California location.

Generally if a clam dies under 2 weeks it was not healthy or something picked on it. Just FYI I infected my tank with clams from divers den twice now. About 5 years apart, had hoped they solved their issues. Anyway it killed all the other healthy clams I had. Both times. Clam diseases/parasites are not well known so just a heads up it can happen. If you find a healthy clam (PEA is good) QT all new until you see growth!

 

[izzyishh]

Post you water parameters please just to compare