Derasa color question

almo75

almo75

AC Members
Feb 6, 2008
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Corn fields south of Chicago
Real Name
Al
I was wondering what color a tridacna derasa should be? When this guy was brought home to me it was light tan, now it is a darker brown. Should I move it closer or further from the lights? Leave it be? The info I have been reading suggests placement based on color but does not mention changing colors.
My assumption is that it is OK and just an abundance of symbiotic algae, but we all know assumption is the mother of all......um... screw ups!
 
Derasas generally don't like being on the rocks and prefer to be in the sand. The coloring looks fine, pretty similar to mine. What lights were it under before you got it and what lights are it under now?
 
mandy21 said:
Derasas generally don't like being on the rocks and prefer to be in the sand. The coloring looks fine, pretty similar to mine. What lights were it under before you got it and what lights are it under now?
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It doesnt really matter. The only species that is even remotely common in the hobby that is even found on the sand naturally in Hippopus Hippopus.
It probably does have to do with it just having more zooxanthellae. I am also curious as to what lighting you have. I would move it up slightly, but they do do pretty darn good at producing as much as they need. It could just be how it looks in your lighting compared to the lighting at the LFS. How long have you had it and how long did it take to turn brown?
 
fishieness said:
It doesnt really matter. The only species that is even remotely common in the hobby that is even found on the sand naturally in Hippopus Hippopus.
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I'm going by everything I've ever read on Derasas since this is what I have. I've read several sources where they are naturally found on the substrate in the wild since they don't grasp on as tightly and rely on sheer weight to keep them on rocks (I'm sure I read that on clamsdirect.com).

Also, from Wet Web Media, "Tridacna derasa, Tridacna squamosa, and Tridacna gigas are best placed on sandy substrate, whereas Tridacna crocea and Tridacna maxima should be placed in the rock work. " http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/Clam_care/Clam_care.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_4/V4I3/Tridacna/GotTridacna.htm just 2 of the links I have offhand bookmarked.
 
mandy21 said:
I'm going by everything I've ever read on Derasas since this is what I have. I've read several sources where they are naturally found on the substrate in the wild since they don't grasp on as tightly and rely on sheer weight to keep them on rocks (I'm sure I read that on clamsdirect.com).

Also, from Wet Web Media, "Tridacna derasa, Tridacna squamosa, and Tridacna gigas are best placed on sandy substrate, whereas Tridacna crocea and Tridacna maxima should be placed in the rock work. " http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/Clam_care/Clam_care.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_4/V4I3/Tridacna/GotTridacna.htm just 2 of the links I have offhand bookmarked.
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I'm sorry, i meant "only", not "ever" :lipssealedsmilie:
haha. They are found on the rock work in the wild and not only on the sand, as many sources available to the hobby say., according to James Fatherree.
 
PS: I like that smile too. haha
 
fishieness said:
I'm sorry, i meant "only", not "ever" :lipssealedsmilie:
haha. They are found on the rock work in the wild and not only on the sand, as many sources available to the hobby say., according to James Fatherree.
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Ah, makes much more sense now. I got confused and went to double check myself because I swore I read that they were found in the substrate in the wild lol. I agree that they are found both place. I believe I read they should be put on the substrate is due to their lack of a strong byssal gland keeping them on rock and have the tendency to fall off rock and potentially do damage.

Either way, the OP has additional info :)
 
Sorry, no access for the weekends. He was in a 55 with 216W of T-5. I struck up a deal with my wife this weekend and I ended up switching out to a 29 for now. The 29 has a fish only light, 2 T-5 @ 24w and a clip on metal halide @ 150w. At the pet store they seem to just use NO and VHO lamps.
I hated to down size but the agreement is if I give her the 55 I can get a 75 in 6-8 months.
 
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