An update on the mussels/clams/snails I got

[Temptress]

I had ordered a "package" deal from ebay thinking it was a great addition to my tank.. at any rate to make a long story short I found out I was very mislead. I do however have some pictures of what I am keeping them in for now.. I am going to be getting them a sandy bottom very soon.. in attempts to make them comfortable at least *sad face* I did go to my LFS and they suggested that I try an invert mix for fine filter feeders, so I've been trying that.. they open when I put it in there and you can certainly see their filter.. wether they are actually getting any nutrients from this.. I guess I won't know for a while. also there were some snails that came with.. big'ns lol and I dunno what kind they are.. but I didn't want to put them in my other tank until I found out so maybe yuo guys can help =) here's pics!

These are the clams.. forgive the blurry pics.. not real sure why that happened.. flash probably.. or maybe I was too close.


You can see the mussels in the background.. the poor dears.. I am almost sure that these guys were ripped from their rock (which I have learned that they anchor themselves to.. I believe permanently) those white parts are where the shell has been broke.. it's so deep.. I can't imagine there is more than a thin layer to the insides of these guys.. makes me sick this guy who sold these =(

And the snails.. WTH are they? hehe they are big! and their shells are also very broke up.. this guy shipped in breather bags with all these shelled animals wrapped in a paper towel.. nearly no water in there and I imagine the ship time was what caused all these chips and whatnot on these guys.. sickening. =( but overall they seem pretty healthy.. not very active but when I don't know what they are I don't know if they should be haha

 

[Bubbles2112]

Looks kinda like an Apple snail. But the front of the whirl of the first snail pic looks kinda funny--but thats my thought; Pomacea Diffusa.

 

[Kashta]

I know you're stuck with them now, but I don't believe just adding the invert food is going to work out very well. It's going to take a lot more effort on your part to keep these clams alive. (I don't know what to recommend about the muscles as I haven't researched them.)

As filter feeders, the clams are going to need an actual stream of current flowing over them that contains microscopic living organisms.. plankton, protozoa, etc. Make sure you don't get the phytoplankton stuff that's sold for marine (saltwater) use.. it's not the same thing. You will most likely have to grow your own green water. Start that by purchasing live starter culture, or make your own using rabbit pellets, lettuce, or by scooping some out of a friend's pond.

How to make green water:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/algae/77831-how-make-green-water.html

I saved links before to other posts I made when this topic has come up before. You might look through those. I believe it's the second link where I mentioned finding someone who reported he was able to keep his clams alive for two years. In that post, I described how he did that. So this might help you get started setting up what you'll need to provide for them. It's going to take getting some equipment to deliver a nearly constant flow of green water for them or using a turkey baster to feed them yourself. Just adding something to the tank water and hoping enough of it floats their way isn't going to provide enough food for them to survive.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1848585&postcount=13
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1855605&postcount=19
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1856975&postcount=22

I don't have any other suggestions to offer, aside from this. When I had to research this myself, that's the best information I could find.

 

[vampie]

Snail looks like a Trapdoor.

Clams aren't exactly my thing, but most liquid foods should work just fine with them. I've always found the problematic part about keeping them was making sure it didn't have tankmates that could kill it... and when they did, boom - ammonia central.

 

[chazsgirl]

I know you're stuck with them now, but I don't believe just adding the invert food is going to work out very well. It's going to take a lot more effort on your part to keep these clams alive. (I don't know what to recommend about the muscles as I haven't researched them.)

As filter feeders, the clams are going to need an actual stream of current flowing over them that contains microscopic living organisms.. plankton, protozoa, etc. Make sure you don't get the phytoplankton stuff that's sold for marine (saltwater) use.. it's not the same thing. You will most likely have to grow your own green water. Start that by purchasing live starter culture, or make your own using rabbit pellets, lettuce, or by scooping some out of a friend's pond.

How to make green water:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/algae/77831-how-make-green-water.html

I saved links before to other posts I made when this topic has come up before. You might look through those. I believe it's the second link where I mentioned finding someone who reported he was able to keep his clams alive for two years. In that post, I described how he did that. So this might help you get started setting up what you'll need to provide for them. It's going to take getting some equipment to deliver a nearly constant flow of green water for them or using a turkey baster to feed them yourself. Just adding something to the tank water and hoping enough of it floats their way isn't going to provide enough food for them to survive.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1848585&postcount=13
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1855605&postcount=19
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1856975&postcount=22

I don't have any other suggestions to offer, aside from this. When I had to research this myself, that's the best information I could find.

great info. you will need to change your substrate to something that they can dig in, maybe a finer gravel or sand. atleast 2 inches deep

 

[Temptress]

you will need to change your substrate to something that they can dig in, maybe a finer gravel or sand. atleast 2 inches deep

doing this right now as a matter of fact.. also, they are only in the tank with these unknown snails and the mussels that they were shipped with.. I didn't know if I wanted to expose them to my other tank.. the snails maybe.. if I could get a definite on what they are =) Thanks for the replies.. I am going to check into this green water.. not real thrilled about what I have gotten myself into.. that's for sure =)

 

[jamesstill84]

Good luck with them. The exact reason I didn't purchase any golden clams. I like the look of them, but the risk of ammonia spikes if they die is too risky for me. Hope you can keep them alive!

 

[DrNo]

Snail looks like a Trapdoor.

Clams aren't exactly my thing, but most liquid foods should work just fine with them. I've always found the problematic part about keeping them was making sure it didn't have tankmates that could kill it... and when they did, boom - ammonia central.

Dead on for both accounts :thm:

The shells on the trapdoors are bot beat up but they appear cosmetic only; they can easily recover if otherwise healthy.

Watch for an ammonia/nitrite spike in the event of clam death. All to common unfortunately.