Clam

[mandy21]

Okay, so I need some more help in deciding. I mentioned to my LFS that I was wanting eventually to get a clam and the guy said he is able to get them. I said I'd love to get one eventually, I liked the brightly colored blue/purple/greenish crocea clams. Well, I venture in today and I see a gold one, about 4" that was just in yesterday. I asked the store manager about it, a rough price blahblahblah. He said it was expensive.... $100 or so. So, now, I'm a little stuck and can't decide. It's more than what I'd spend through liveaquaria or clamsdirect, but knowing that not many people in the area have reefs, let alone the knowledge to even begin to take care of one (I at least have started research and have sources that are abundant and the time now to read up on one in the matter of a few days to know a good deal about them. It's not the color i would choose online, but it was still pretty attractive, nonetheless. What would you do if you were me?

BTW, tank is in pretty good condition
75g tank
100lbs live rock, 120lbs sugar sized sand
assorted mushrooms, zoas, branching lobophillia, galaxea
Ph 8.2
SG 1.024
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - between 5 and 10 depending on how close to a water change (done weekly, 10%)
Calcium - steady at 420

[Scribble68]

If you really like it, i would go for it. Just one question. What kind of lighting do you have and how many watts? Its the only thing u didnt list and its one of the most important for clams. My friend has two and they r gorgeous i like them alot, but i don't have the lighting to keep them healthy long term. But like i said, if your lighting is suitable and u like it, get it.

[mandy21]

Metal Halide, I have 2 250 W lights that are 20K

[archer772]

Yes what type of lighting do you have and how long has the tank been setup. I am not sure about the price because I can get Golden Teardrop Maximas that size for about $60 but I do have a good source :grinyes:

[mandy21]

This tank has been set up for hmmmmm 8 months roughly.

[archer772]

Well then you should be good to go and by the way I think I like my Golden Maximas more than my Crocea. That price of about $100 for that size clam is about normal for most places.

[mandy21]

Thanks for the help. I figured it was normalish for seeing in a LFS at that price, especially a small one that needs to make a profit on the few things they sell that are over $30 lol. So long as it's not much over $100, I most likely will give 'er a whirl.

[Pufferpunk]

Are you sure of what species of clam it is? Because if it's a squamosa, it can grow up to a foot.

[Grins]

That was my question...what kind of clam?

[mandy21]

I know it's a Tridacna clam, but in terms of which, not sure yet. That's one of my questions and I'm taking other identifying information in on a cheat sheet so I am sure after the mixup with another coral. Close family, but not correct.

[Grins]

Yeah, would be bad to find out you had ended up with a Gigas huh?

[archer772]

Yea a Gigas wouldnt be the best choice I guess but the rest should be OK for a couple of years any how


Crocea- 15cm or 6"
Maxima- 35cm or 13 3/4'
Squamosa- 41cm or 16"
Derasa- 55cm or 21.5"
Gigas- 137cm or 54"
H.hippopus- 40cm or 15 3/4"


this is an average, some will grow faster and some slower

Crocea- 1.75cm or 3/4" per year
Maxima- 3.75cm or 1 1/2" per year
Squamosa- 6.5cm or 2 1/2" per year
Derasa- 6cm or 2 1/4" per year
Gigas- 8.5cm or 3 1/2" per year
H hippopus- 5.75cm or 2 1/4" per year

[mandy21]

Thanks Archer. I know I've seen the max size you've listed, but it's great to have it right there. So, even if it was a Derasa, while it wouldn't be fine full grown (if it got to the size listed) in the 75 gallon, but knowing i'll be upgrading in less than a year, I would just have to plan that into tank size. I know that's what the guy had said he had gotten in before.

and yes, Grins, it would be quite problematic if I were to wind up with a gigas lol. i'd have to build a shark tank-sized aquarium. haha oooo, there's my excuse . . .

[Grins]

and yes, Grins, it would be quite problematic if I were to wind up with a gigas lol. i'd have to build a shark tank-sized aquarium. haha oooo, there's my excuse . . .

Thats how I feel about Butters potentially needing a bigger home one day. "Oh a bigger tank? Darn <insert giddy laughter as I measure the dining room>"

[salty420]

i'd say get if it's what you want and you are willing to spend that kind of $$ get it. but if you are unsure at all then don't. you don't want to be second guessing youself when you've spent that kind of money :)

[mandy21]

hahaha I second guess myself when I spend a lot more money than that. I ended up buying it. It was $99, just came in shipment, looked great, is doing well, loooks happy as much as a clam can. I'll post pictures as soon as I get the bf to send them to me from his camera. Blue lip gold Derasa is what it is. It was actually priced at $180 from the original source, but was discounted to the store due to not selling. Looking on liveaquaria.com, I actually got a great deal on the size and looks of the clam. So, I'm happy as could be with the purchase. Got 2 sexy shrimp too, which are hiding . :)

[Fishieness]

cant wait to see apic :)

[salty420]

ah glad you decided to get it. can't wait to see it and the sexy little shrimpies!

[Pufferpunk]

Are you happy as a clam?

[mandy21]

Are you happy as a clam?

haha of course.

[Pufferpunk]

I couldn't resist... :P

[mandy21]

About the same as the bf could not stop himself from making obscene jokes about my purchase lol

[Pufferpunk]

We expect pics when you get it!

[Grins]

Pics! Pics! Pics! And psst good luck finding those sexy shrimp in your tank, tiny little buggers aren't they?

[Pufferpunk]

Put 2 in mine & only saw them 1x in a year.

[irishspy]

I couldn't resist... :P

Curse you, Pufferpunk! You beat me to it! :silly:

[mandy21]

Pics! Pics! Pics! And psst good luck finding those sexy shrimp in your tank, tiny little buggers aren't they?

They are tiny, indeed, but they stay on the front of one rock and actually had a fun time crawling all over my hand when I was adjusting rock last night.

So, the pictures don't show the color with the camera taking up way too much blue. I might swap out bulbs just briefly to the god-awful old MH bulbs and see if that shows color better in pictures.

[SHK_ATK]

i would go with a 14K hamilton bulb its what I run on my tank and by far makes my clams color pop (along w/ everything else coral,fish)

[mandy21]

i would go with a 14K hamilton bulb its what I run on my tank and by far makes my clams color pop (along w/ everything else coral,fish)

I hated my 15K, so I didn't want to chance getting a similar color. I really like the 20K I have now (just bought them) so I'll just have to either swap out for pictures to the ug color of the old bulbs or wait. I might try something else if I can find some cheap just to try out.

[Grins]

I've been advised to move my MHs closer to the surface when I go up in K. Something to consider.

[Mr.Firemouth]

Mandy,
Set the white balance on the camera, use the Macro setting, shoot it in the highest resolution(usually FINE), aim camera at an angle to avoid flashback to lens, and try not to shake or else use a tripod.

If the flash is too strong diffuse it with a piece of white paper in front of the flasher. It will soften the exposure.

[mandy21]

Wow thanks, now I just have to figure out those settings on the camera. I may be spending a lot of time taking pictures of all the new inhabitants :)