House of clams

[Gregcoyote]

I am enjoying raising my first clams after decades of reef keeping. My frag tanks host them as my main reef has too many fish that pester clams.
I have a 4" Squamosa that is doing great, but made the mistake of buying a tiny maxima and obviously didn't feed it successfully. I will buy a bigger clam the next time that isn't as dependent on filter feeding. Where are the best deals on clams?

 

[Gregcoyote]

Update, since the tiny maxima clam died a few months ago, it was replaced with a 4" blue crocea clam. Both clams are now growing, but I also pumped the light up to 600 PAR. So far so good.

 

[aadair22]

How long did you have the tiny maxima before it died?

 

[Gregcoyote]

How long did you have the tiny maxima before it died?

He was a rescue from the LFS as he wasn't fully opening there. Guess they had him a couple of weeks. He did fully open for me but suddenly died a few weeks later. I did feed him reef chili and gave him about 400 PAR, which wasn't enough light and I suspect reef chili isn't optimum clam food.

 

[Qube]

I'm a little late to the game, since your original post was back in February... But, Pacific East Aquaculture usually has a great selection! I have a Squamosa from them that has done great! I checked their site, and they don't have any clams available now, but keep an eye on them, they usually have quite a selection! All this is said with the thought that you are still interested in expanding your clam collection 2 months after you asked...

 

[Gregcoyote]

I'm a little late to the game, since your original post was back in February... But, Pacific East Aquaculture usually has a great selection! I have a Squamosa from them that has done great! I checked their site, and they don't have any clams available now, but keep an eye on them, they usually have quite a selection! All this is said with the thought that you are still interested in expanding your clam collection 2 months after you asked...

I really like my Squamosa. It is pretty obvious even early on that they are easier to grow than the others.

 

[Qube]

That they are, nothing wrong with easy though!

 

[Gregcoyote]

I learned two lessons. Start with a clam over 3" and start with an easy one.

 

[Qube]

Definitely a good rule.

 

[aadair22]

I learned two lessons. Start with a clam over 3" and start with an easy one.

I asked because I picked up a gold maxima a few weeks ago and a littler over a week it died.. It was under two inches and I 1) didn't feed it and 2) probably didn't give it near enough light.. I read a bunch about how small clams needed less light because their mantels aren't as thick and could burn, but after it died I started reading about keep small clams under really intense light and doing great.. Also, when I bought it it wasn't fully open, and only once kind of fully opened for me.. So I don't know what kind of shape it was in.. Either way, can't wait to get another one, ill just make sure it is a little bigger