Well, seeing the increase in popularity of freshwater clams lately, I'd just like to warn anyone watching...
Clams need nutrient filled water with lots of small particles of food that they siphon out of the water through their "tongues" and eat. In order to do so, they need a strong current to circulate these particules. Do not attempt to keep freshwater clams or freshwater mussels unless you can provide them proper food.
I would like to add that freshwater clams & mussels spend a lot of their time in the sand with very little of their shell exposed. They do not "clean" your tank of floating debris, and usually don't live for long periods of time. If a clam or mussel dies and goes unnoticed (which is very easy to do), it can destroy a tank and turn it into a graveyard for all other inhabitants. When shellfish rot, it's bad.
As a side note, freshwater clams can breed without doing harm to fish. However, freshwater mussel offspring will clog the gills of fish and become parisitic. I strongly suggest avoiding keeping more than one freshwater mussel.
Although clams & mussels are interesting and impressive at the store, they are hard to maintain and give little back. Unless you have a river tank that is fed specially formulated food for these shellfish, avoid them at all cost. They are not beginner animals and should only be left to people who give them specific care.
Thank you for reading, and please take my post seriously. There are too many dangers & labours involved than most would be willing to perform.
-DP
Clams need nutrient filled water with lots of small particles of food that they siphon out of the water through their "tongues" and eat. In order to do so, they need a strong current to circulate these particules. Do not attempt to keep freshwater clams or freshwater mussels unless you can provide them proper food.
I would like to add that freshwater clams & mussels spend a lot of their time in the sand with very little of their shell exposed. They do not "clean" your tank of floating debris, and usually don't live for long periods of time. If a clam or mussel dies and goes unnoticed (which is very easy to do), it can destroy a tank and turn it into a graveyard for all other inhabitants. When shellfish rot, it's bad.
As a side note, freshwater clams can breed without doing harm to fish. However, freshwater mussel offspring will clog the gills of fish and become parisitic. I strongly suggest avoiding keeping more than one freshwater mussel.
Although clams & mussels are interesting and impressive at the store, they are hard to maintain and give little back. Unless you have a river tank that is fed specially formulated food for these shellfish, avoid them at all cost. They are not beginner animals and should only be left to people who give them specific care.
Thank you for reading, and please take my post seriously. There are too many dangers & labours involved than most would be willing to perform.
-DP