I'm trying to think of a viable tool, like a mushroom cage, but for a clam. The objective is to keep nipping fish out instead of keeping the clam in like a mushroom cage would do. It also needs to allow enough flow and light to come through, which is critical for the clam to grow.
I've seen lots of large clams do just fine with occasionally nipping fish, but smaller clams might meet their demise from such activity, even if it isn't aggressive nipping.
Let's start with clams that sit on the sand bed, since that is easiest. A box that you could turn over and put over the clam would be ideal. Maybe varying in size from 4"L x 3"W x 3"H for small 2-3" clams (maybe a bit higher?). Then moving up from there.
Something like this:
But instead of iron, I think the frame would be best in clear acrylic, and instead of metal mesh, probably the same mesh that they use for screen lids. That would allow the maximum amount of light and flow through while keeping fish, and even some inverts, out until the clam is bulking up.
Anyone try this before? @cromag27 look like something in your wheelhouse?
Thanks!
I've seen lots of large clams do just fine with occasionally nipping fish, but smaller clams might meet their demise from such activity, even if it isn't aggressive nipping.
Let's start with clams that sit on the sand bed, since that is easiest. A box that you could turn over and put over the clam would be ideal. Maybe varying in size from 4"L x 3"W x 3"H for small 2-3" clams (maybe a bit higher?). Then moving up from there.
Something like this:
But instead of iron, I think the frame would be best in clear acrylic, and instead of metal mesh, probably the same mesh that they use for screen lids. That would allow the maximum amount of light and flow through while keeping fish, and even some inverts, out until the clam is bulking up.
Anyone try this before? @cromag27 look like something in your wheelhouse?
Thanks!