freshwater clams

[poormanisme]

Has anyone ever kept freshwater clams? If so, what did you think of them. I remember in school something about clams being natural filters. I saw a few at my LFS and they werent that expensive so i may buy a few, after a little research of coarse.:D

[ianjoe]

well this is the plant forum so ill assume that your question is regarding having them in a planted tank.
If you have a heavily planted tank i would not recommend them.
1. They are diggers.
2. They'll need a sand substrate, at least 2".
3. Depending the type of clam they might not do so well in higher temperatures.

However i think they would be great in a tank with some sand substrate with some Anacharis in the background. and some good ol' sunfish too
:)

[ianjoe]

basically, i probably wouldn't go with them unless i was doing an american lake or river biotope.

,
ian

[Cearbhaill]

They'll just bury themselves three minutes after you toss them in- then how will you know if one died?
I bought a few at one point but worrying about them rotting underneath the substrate did me in (and them out).

[ChilDawg]

Plus, clam larvae are fish parasites. Called something like glochidnae, I believe.

[poormanisme]

well then, i don't think they would make a very good addition to an aquarium. thanks for all the replies. My search continues for the weird and unusual, LOL.

[OrionGirl]

Even heavily planted tanks seldom have enough food to support clams. This is the reason they often die--slow starvation. Target feeding will work, but it's difficult to provide enough food without causing problems, like algae.

[drew22to375]

here check this out. go to alage eating shrimp. then substrate burrowers. Has some golden clams.

http://www.azgardens.com/index2.htm

[poormanisme]

thanks for the site drew. I was gonna order some stuff from them, but decided against it, as ive read some things that made me apprehensive.(wow, now thats what i call a run on sentence.):)

[drew22to375]

Originally posted by poormanisme
thanks for the site drew. I was gonna order some stuff from them, but decided against it, as ive read some things that made me apprehensive.(wow, now thats what i call a run on sentence.):)

Why what have you heard I've never had any problems ordering from them before everything I have bought from them was top notch quality.

[poormanisme]

i have never ordered from az gardens personally. So i have nothing bad to say about them. however, there is another post on this forum, if you would like to take a look.http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9106&highlight=arizona+gardens After reading this i was a little leary about ordering from them. Also, if you read their site, they only answer email on Monday's or something like that. I understand they are not a huge corperation and do not have time to answer emails all day, but what if i have a problem and its not Monday?

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by poormanisme
.... I was gonna order some stuff from them, but decided against it, as ive read some things that made me apprehensive.(wow, now thats what i call a run on sentence.):) I'm so glad you said "was going to order" and used a mild word like "apprehensive"!

From what I went thru with this 'business' (that can't be the word I'm looking for!).... I would and will always recommend others to be careful. Why not go elsewhere and get products that are ALIVE and a reputable company that stands behind their product, and treats their customers with some respect.

Now I may go and check my blood pressure....... :mad:

[ChilDawg]

Originally posted by drew22to375
here check this out. go to alage eating shrimp. then substrate burrowers. Has some golden clams.

http://www.azgardens.com/index2.htm

What can of worms are we trying to open here?

Oops, looks like they're already out...

[poormanisme]

OMG, put the worms back in the can and give them to Joe, LMAO. I think he needs all the help he can get after his ordeal.:D

[125gJoe]

I totally agree with OrionGirl!

I tried to 'keep' clams in a 20 gallon years ago when I had much less "know how" :) on taking care of an aquarium.

What a disaster that was!! I even tried to keep a baby 'soft shelled turtle' in there... Not good at all.... Although the plants seemed to love it!