Care of freshwater clams

catnipgal

catnipgal

Here Fishy Fishy
Jun 26, 2008
216
0
0
Chicago - Windy City, USA
Can anyone suggest how to care for a freshwater clam? I dont have any yet, but would like to get one.

Currently I have a 10 gallon take with peaceful freshwater fish. I do not have any puffers.

I have about 1.5" to 2" of medium gravel.

I've heard some say a 10 gallon tank isn't big enough for 1 clam.

If so, what is the minimum size tank you'd recommend for a clam? I eventually want to get a 30 or a 50 gallon tank.

Thanks,

NIPS
 
I don't know about tank size, but I do know that they need pristine water. They also starve easily when they isn't enough food to filter out of the water, so be careful about that. you can try and directly feed them with powdered flakes and a syringe or pipette, but you might scare them and they will close their shells. Wait for some1 else to respond btw...
 
Freshwater clams are very difficult if not impossible to keep alive in aquariums. They are filter feeders so they eat microscopic organisms and algae from the water column. One little clam will filter an amazing amount of water in one day. I do not believe that a tank less than 300 gallons could successfully keep a clam in it. Mostly what I've heard from those who have tried is the clam died in a month or two.
 
Rethinking the clam

THE V said:
Freshwater clams are very difficult if not impossible to keep alive in aquariums. They are filter feeders so they eat microscopic organisms and algae from the water column. One little clam will filter an amazing amount of water in one day. I do not believe that a tank less than 300 gallons could successfully keep a clam in it. Mostly what I've heard from those who have tried is the clam died in a month or two.
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Sounds like a cherry shrimp is a better idea.

Thanks
 
V, I have read quite a bit about this subject and I must agree with you. I would love nothing more than to have a thriving clam bed in one of my tanks but the sad truth is these animals are not really meant for anything but LARGE LARGE aquariums. You give solid advice!!
 
Huh, I never considered clams. What about coldwater clams in a room-temp tank? Do they also have huge water/food reqs? How do they survive the winter?
 
most people coments in the past say they dont or havnt lasted to long in there tanks. and when they die there very fast to polute your water to dangerous levels.
 
Clams can survive in the wild because that's what they do in the wild, but in a home aquarium it's not that simple. They have HUGE food requirements that most of the time can not even be touch in home aquaria. Leave the clams in the wild where they belong not in home aquariums.
 
petluvr said:
Clams can survive in the wild because that's what they do in the wild, but in a home aquarium it's not that simple. They have HUGE food requirements that most of the time can not even be touch in home aquaria. Leave the clams in the wild where they belong not in home aquariums.
Click to expand...

Sounds like good advice.

Cherry shrimp it is!!
 
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