Freshwater Clams

[trigger9]

I just ordered fresh water clams online. Has anyone owned these and can they tell me how to take care of them???

[kimmisc]

You just acclimate them, and put them on the substrate. Try not to expose them to the air much (so I've read). Make sure to move them if you treat the tank for anything that may harm inverts. I move them out for salt treatments too. Other than that, nothing. They feed from the water column. Take a good look at them on a regular basis to see if they're still alive. If they die and you don't notice, they'll foul your water.

[trigger9]

Thanks for your reply. How do you know if they are alive or dead???

[soobie]

If you tap gently on the shell and they close up immediately, they're alive. If they stay open, they're dead.

They are filter feeders, so you may have to supplement with feeding them liquid algae, unless you have a greenwater problem.

[Volenti]

Thanks for your reply. How do you know if they are alive or dead???

Live ones feeding will have their shell cracked open slightly and you might be able to see their feeding tubes poking out a bit (if you have visible particles in the water you can even see the water flow)

If you suspect one of being dead fish it out and try to prise it open with your finger nails, a dead/very sick one will let you open the shell.

[pixl8r]

I'd make sure that they go into a tank that is well seasoned, if possible. Like kimmisic said, they are filter feeders.

If your substrate isn't that deep it'll be easy to keep tabs on it/them. I checked mine by using a turkey baster. I would squirt a jet of water at them and if they 'flinch' they're alive. I found this to be the least evasive way.

[vampie]

Likewise, you can a turkey baster to feed them if your tank has poor water movement.

[trigger9]

Vampie....what should I feed them out of the turkey baster.

[blackwolfXKAV]

I just ordered fresh water clams online. Has anyone owned these and can they tell me how to take care of them???

normally, folks ask these questions before ordering...


feeding...hmn, not sure if they'll eat detritus (in which case you'd need a very established, non-gravel vaccuumed tank) or phytoplankton...

try removing them to a smaller container filled with tank water, and add some "green water"

green water, basically fw algae in water column. can be done with tank water in a well lit, or sunny location

use the turkey baster for that..

good luck..

Black Wolf