flame scallops

[kpatrick]

I think the flame scallops would look great in my tank however I do not know much about them and before I buy some I want to do my homework so if anyone knows anything about them I would appreciate some info. What are their predators??? what do they eat?? do they need lots of light??? I have a 125 tank with average lighting that came with the tank plus I have added a 3' mini compact as well (going back to get the other 3' section soon)

tank mates would include

coral beauty
flame angel
purple tang
kleins butterfly
4 percula clowns

scarlet hermits
snails
2 emerald crabs
cleaner shrimp

[Pineapple House]

I would say around 99% of flame scallops die within the first couple of months of being purchased, if not sooner. Many are not collected properly and are seriously damaged when you get them.

They also tend to be reclusive, prefering to stay in crevices or under rocks with just their tentacles being out in the open. Many people try to remove them to more veiwable places, but this usually results in damage to the byssal gland that sectretes the threads they use to attach themselves to rocks, resulting in stress and damage to the scallop.

These are also filter feeders which will need a lot of food. This means that you tank will foul quickly if you don't have a very good filtration system on it. Lack of food is probably the #1 cause of death. They tend to feed on very small phytoplankton and zooplankton, which are not readily availible at your LFS (DT's live phytoplankton and seawater zooplankton is often used). It's posible to culture the foods such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, rotifers, and copepods, but doing so would need time and money. Golden Pearls would also be good for feedings. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...2002/toonen.htm has a good article on feeding.

My advice would be hold off on buying another one, as these don't do well in captivity.

Also, Kudos to you for doing reaserch before you buy!! You have just saved a life and some of your money simply posting a question before you buy! :)

Take Care,
Graham

[kpatrick]

thx for the info. I will be staying away from the scallops !!!!!!!

[mogurnda]

If you do choose to go with one, I would avoid DTs. Nanochloropsis is too small for them to eat. Reed Mariculture's post-set formula will work, but they sell in awfully large volumes. Golden pearls will probably work, as well as the small particles in "coral heaven" from Indo-Pacific Sea Farms.
If I were you, I'd just skip them.