Should clam be fed?

[aeroreefs]

Crocea should be fed periodically to grow fast?
If then, what kind of food is avaiable, and how to feed it?
I am wondering 84 or so of temp is ok for clam or not.

TIA

 

[toptank]

I can only tell you what my experence is.

I have 8 different clams from 1 1/2" to 7" and the only thing I feed is DTs and Iodine.
I have had the oldest clam for 2 years now and I can notice the growth.

As far as temp, my 180 ranges from 80 -84 without any noticeable problems. My arcos have suffered a little bit so I have changed my photo period and turn on the AC and added some fans to my system. If I had the room for a chiller I would add but where my tank is placed I have no room for one.

You can see my clams on my web site.
Barry

 

[outerbank]

I feel mine do best when fed cryopaste regularily. The problem with this is algae growth tends to increase.

Scott

Scott

 

[Carpentersreef]

Keep your calcium up.

 

[aeroreefs]

HI! Carpentersreef.
Thanks for reply.
All I have to do to make it grow fast is to keep up calcium level,right?
Then, how much level is reasonable?
TIA

 

[jdeets]

aeroreefs--when it comes to clams, first and foremost is the lighting. Without adequate lighting, you'll never keep one alive with feeding. With adequate lighting, the extra feeding is supplemental but not completely necessary.

 

[toptank]

I keep my ca up in thew range of 410 -440ppm. Yes light is important for growth. I am running 3 x 400MH, and 2 x 60" 140watt actinic VHOs.

Of the 8 I have 5 that have attached to LR so I know they are happy.

Barry

 

[Carpentersreef]

Phytoplankton is important, lighting is crucial, MH preferable. My calcium is at 480 - 500. I think that that is a bit high. 410 or above would be good. You should be seeing growth in the form of white extensions of the shell. Watch for your clam to close up immediately after you feed it something. My maxima closed up right after adding phytoplankton, but my derasa's don't mind it at all. I keep my temp at 81. With high qualty lighting, I think clams are quite hardy.

HTH
Mitch

 

[Dewey]

Lights and calcium. Lots of both. Did I mention lights and calcium?
After that I would suggest phytoplankton.
Croceas are finicky. If the clam gets happy, just leave it alone. If you move them around and such, they get stressed pretty easily. They seem to attach to the rock much quicker than other clams.
I have never noticed temperature sensitivity in clams, but I have only kept them from 79-82 degrees F.

 

[jdeets]

If you haven't got a copy and read Knop's book, "Giant Clams," I'd highly recommend it. Clams are pretty touchy, especially when it comes to temperature and pH. Knop's book, IMO, is a "must-have" for anyone keeping clams.

 

[MiNdErAsR]

I couldn't agree more with jdeets. Great book, and a must have for anyone keeping Tridacnids.

Also, it's my understanding that food (phytoplankton) must be made available for any clam under 4 inches in length. Do not try to feed the clam directly. Add the phytoplankton to the water column in a high flow area, allowing it to disperse about the tank. Again, lighting is important as well. Personally I would recommend halides of at least 250w.

[ August 21, 2001: Message edited by: MiNdErAsR ]

 

[tanzy]

Does scrubbing the glass and releasing the green algae into the water count as phtoplankton?