View Full Version : freshwater clams???
meow91
03-22-2007, 10:06 AM
Does anyone have info on clams? I have a 120 gal. with sand substrate.What do they get along with or not get along with ?what do they eat? So on and so on.
J double R
03-22-2007, 10:57 AM
they get along with everything, as far as i know. they feed on dissolved solids in the water column, and filter nitrates from the water. sand is optimum for their lifestyle, they will constantly keep it stirred and moved around. i liked mine when i had them, even though i didnt see them 99.9% of the time.
IndianaSam
03-22-2007, 11:31 AM
If you like watching paint dry then you'll love keeping freshwater clams.
Seriously, though. They filter out fine particulate matter from the water column for food. It can be hard to keep them well fed over the long term. If they die, how will you know? Other than the ammonia spike?
J double R
03-22-2007, 11:57 AM
the smell.
DancesWithFish
03-22-2007, 2:48 PM
I have 3 freshwater clams in my 30 gal. since october. they don'y really move but havn't died yet! :dance2:
Squawkbert
03-22-2007, 3:31 PM
I was thinking about getting some, but the whole having to hunt for 'em if/when you notice that tell-tale death smell put me off. My vals & sword are growing fast enough, I think they're stirring sand & preventing anaerobic bact. pockets by themselves.
nickmcmechan
03-22-2007, 3:44 PM
I really like the idea of these, but was very put off by the 'you dont know when they're dead until your ammonia goes through the roof' bit.
But I liked the novelty factor and the filter all the rubbish out your tank bit!
Shelby_Tempo_GT
03-22-2007, 3:55 PM
If you like watching paint dry then you'll love keeping freshwater clams.
Seriously, though. They filter out fine particulate matter from the water column for food. It can be hard to keep them well fed over the long term. If they die, how will you know? Other than the ammonia spike?
because they move around.
when they stay in the same place for more than a week, they are probably dead.
kuhliloach
03-22-2007, 5:20 PM
how big do they get and are they FW? how muc is it $?
Clankeye
03-22-2007, 8:39 PM
I have six fresh water clams that I keep in a tank with just a thin layer of gravel. They sit there kind of half buried. I actually enjoy having them around. They move (on occasion) and you can see their bi-valves filtering the water. I plan to move them to a nano 3 gallon, with a Betta and a bunch of snails. I kind of dig 'em (no pun intended).
Oh--I got them at the LFS, and I think they were two for $3. Forter and Smith sell them online.
Shelby_Tempo_GT
03-23-2007, 7:48 AM
how big do they get and are they FW? how muc is it $?
typically, they do not get any larger than 2-3" across.
They make a nice natural filter and help to complete your biotope
Has anyone had any real long term success with them? More than 6 or 7 months?
kuhliloach
03-23-2007, 7:54 PM
how big?
Shelby_Tempo_GT
03-24-2007, 11:37 AM
Has anyone had any real long term success with them? More than 6 or 7 months?
no.
I haven't.
I think because they are filters, they are very sensitive to water changes.
They are and they really don't like copper based meds either!
blazingazn
06-12-2007, 3:12 PM
i used to have fw clams, probably almost a yr, until the summer heat killed them ='( they were so cool, i was so sad. but its easy to tell if ur clam is dead or not. when alive, they always have their siphons out. to check periodically, i would squirt some water at them to see them retreat their siphons back into their shell so i would know they're still alive. i have a 20 gallon planted tank, and until i can find a way to keep the temp consistently down in the summer, i would not get a clam again =(
nickmcmechan
06-12-2007, 3:45 PM
too much effort for too little return for me
DancesWithFish
06-13-2007, 7:11 PM
i used to have fw clams, probably almost a yr, until the summer heat killed them ='( they were so cool, i was so sad. but its easy to tell if ur clam is dead or not. when alive, they always have their siphons out. to check periodically, i would squirt some water at them to see them retreat their siphons back into their shell so i would know they're still alive. i have a 20 gallon planted tank, and until i can find a way to keep the temp consistently down in the summer, i would not get a clam again =(
Or you could just smell the water.... If they're dead, you will be able to tell just by smelling the water I mean it smells :eek3:
DancesWithFish
06-13-2007, 7:12 PM
no.
I haven't.
I think because they are filters, they are very sensitive to water changes.
I've had mine since october