question about flame scallops

[fireblade]

I was just reading the Reef.org Beginners guide and under the detritivores section it said that flame scallops were "something to avoid for the general well being of your reef tank." I was wondering what is wrong with them or possibly if there was a site or link where I could read up on them, as I have 2 of them in my tank. I have had them for about 2 months now and nothing seems wrong. The only down fall I know about is they apparently have a short life span.

 

[Len]

Anything that is non-photosynthetic and strictly a filter feeder is tough to keep alive for long periods of time in captive settings. They do fine for up to 6 months, but inevitably die from lack of nutrition. Adding phytoplankton (for example: DT) and micro-sized foods like Golden Pearls will help sustain them a while longer.

 

[fireblade]

thanks. Glad to hear that they're not dangerous to my livestock. I do feed them with Chromaplex (kent marine). I just wish that they would stay in the front of my tank and not hide in the back.

 

[Anonymous]

Mine lasted a little over 6 months...I wish LFS wouldn't bring them in as often as they do...they're just too hard to keep long term, imo.

 

[Anonymous]

>... too hard to keep long term...

In business term, it is call "repeating business"

 

[Anonymous]

I had one one time and it only last a couple months..this was before i knew of their short life spans in captivity...Never again will i keep one in captivity..it was pretty but not worth killing the animal..The only possible danger i can see from one is, if it gets scared, it closes rapidly creating it to "swim" or propulse through the water..in turn maybe knocking over LR or corals

 

[fireblade]

No, I woun't be a "repeat customer" for them either. Seeing as how they are a fairly large filter feeder, I wonder how much effect they would have on water quality.

 

[Anonymous]

>...No, I woun't be a "repeat customer" for them either. ...

That's because you know the fact, instead of someone who thinks give it another try and it will live longer because of more "experience" second time around.

>... I wonder how much effect they would have on water quality...

Being non-photosynthesis, and a selective filter feeder that does not live long in captivity, the effect is negative on the water quality.