French Polynesian Maxima's survivability, what is your findings?

**Saltgator** · 10-13-2011, 09:29 AM

Sounds like I'll be waiting a bit possibly. So sad to hear of everyone's loss. Are these just singled out in the maxima species or all French clams?

**skinz78** · 10-13-2011, 10:20 AM

I've only seen this in the Maxima's.

**slapshot** · 10-26-2011, 12:12 AM

I had two. one made it a couple of months the other 3 months. Got up one day and all was fine came home from work and they were dead.

**skinz78** · 10-27-2011, 09:39 PM

Well I am sad to say that I am at 100 percent death rate with these clams. My last one died tonight, I won't be buying anymore.

**FishLipz** · 10-27-2011, 09:43 PM

Sorry man. I lost a chunk of change on my three too. I should have bought that bandit angel I want with that money.

**spspirate** · 10-30-2011, 12:16 AM

I notice a lot of people are placing these maximas on the sand bed.....deepest part of the tank and farthest from the light source. Is there any connection that the people that are successful are punching them with strong light and close to it like up high on the rock work? These are some big clams that maybe demand more for its metabolic needs.

**skinz78** · 10-30-2011, 02:50 AM

I don't think so from what I have seen with them. I have tried to get them to stay on the rocks and they just won't. On the other hand in my tank right now I have three other non French Poly Maxima clams that I have raised from 2.5" to 4 to 5" now and they actually prefer to be on the sandbed in my tank. I also have Acro's growing 2" above the sandbed in my tank and growing quite well at that.

As for feeding them, as they grow the amount of zooxanthalle in their mantle also increases which increases the amount of sugars produced by the algae that is released into the clam. This is why I don't buy into to the old thought that small clams must be supplemented with feedings.

It is just my personal thought that these Maxima's are being way over stressed from collection and then the long trip it takes for them to reach our tanks. They are collected and then shipped to a holding facility which I think is in Borneo but not 100 percent sure. Then they are shipped to Cali and held for a bit and then shipped to the various distributors in the states. And then finally to us the consumers.

My opinion based on my observations of Maxima's "and I have had LOTS of them" is that they are very easily stressed by being moved too much. Big or small. I think the whole reason that small Maxima's are prone to higher death rates is because they are very fidgety and move a lot, this coupled with people trying to get them to stay in the "perfect spot" stresses them over the edge and they die.

**skinz78** · 07-31-2012, 02:36 PM

I'm thinking it is time to bring this back up and see how these clams are doing for people now a days?

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**returnofsid** · 07-31-2012, 03:16 PM

I've owned 2 and 1 died. Once it died though, I found it covered in Pyramallid snails. It lived for about 6 months after I purchased it. On the other hand, a local greenhouse grower, who I'd purchased both from, has amazing survival rates. He's had several in his tanks for a couple of years. He orders about 2 dozen at a time and typically has no losses prior to sales. I also know of locals who have purchased from him who've had good survival rates.

**Saltgator** · 07-31-2012, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by skinz78

I'm thinking it is time to bring this back up and see how these clams are doing for people now a days?

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None for me Chris. I haven't been ready to experiment with one yet, but seen plenty that I've wanted.

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**Dave3112** · 08-02-2012, 09:45 AM

Mine died a couple of months ago. It went from happy and expanded mantle al day to just closing up more and more then starting to gape so I pulled it out of the system. I hated to do that but that's just too big of a clam to let die and waste in the tank. My croceas are and have been fine. I've had one going on 5 years now and another for at least 2.

**DogueDeBordeaux** · 04-28-2013, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by skinz78

I'm thinking it is time to bring this back up and see how these clams are doing for people now a days?

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Who has kept one of these clams the longest? Where is the placement, lighting, and how is the flow?

**lps1212** · 04-28-2013, 09:40 AM

Good thread I am considering buying 1 today from a swap from dr.mac but on the fence about dropping 100-200 on a clam not really getting too much confidence here that's for sure

**skinz78** · 04-28-2013, 01:08 PM

I just tried 3 more of them and they lasted a little over a month.

**Age Of Aquariums** · 04-28-2013, 01:29 PM

We got about 5 in the shop right now. We also get them from a local greenhouse guy who got about 50 of them in. I was lucky to be there when they arrived! From my understanding there are a couple major wholesalers that import these , with that said i tested the water that these clams arrived in and cal was over 600 and kh was at like 19 which is a rough guestimate refilling syringe with red sea test kits and doing some math.
That cant be good
Jw

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**skinz78** · 04-28-2013, 01:31 PM

Interesting!

**Age Of Aquariums** · 04-28-2013, 01:32 PM

Oh yeah and like skinz said
DONT TOUCH THEM!

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**mike007** · 04-28-2013, 08:56 PM

Wow i just BOUGHT one wish i would have seen this thread before.

**Mr. E Wrasse** · 04-28-2013, 09:26 PM

Skinz78 or anyone else that knows, are the clams pacific east aquaculture listed yesterday tahitians? They are labeled as "ultra maximas" but it doesnt say where they are from and also says they are the exclusive importers. Look just as pretty as french polys so thats why im thinking about getting one but if they are french then im.deifnitely not getting one!