Bought a clam at a frag swap and need a id

[Stickboy15]

so I bought a very nice clam yesterday at the c Sea frag swap and I need a id so I know where to place it

 

[KJ]

Tridacna Maxima.

 

[DSC reef]

+1 Tridacna maxima. They love light and need it. Try placing it on a rock underneath the clam and sand so it can attach which will make it easier to move into higher light if needed.

 

[Stickboy15]

so its a rock boring clam

 

[DSC reef]

Not necessarily rock boring like a crocea but it will attach. Depending on lighting, you might have to move it up in the tank. Derasa and squamosa are typical sand dwellers.

 

[Stickboy15]

xr15 gen 4 runing sps ab+ at 78%

 

[Stickboy15]

How long should it take to attach?

 

[DSC reef]

How long should it take to attach?

No set time really. If happy, within 24 hours.

 

[Stickboy15]

okay moved it on a rock and seems very happy and moved a little sideways but seems like a fish knocked it over during the night so I had to move him back on it

 

[Stickboy15]

So he’s on a rock on the sand bed and he has moved off the rock and just onto the sand and he appears to be happy? Is this normal?

 

[reef lover]

I would place the cradle under him in the same spot and direction he chose.

 

[Stickboy15]

Okay I will give that a try

 

[Stickboy15]

so I thought my clam was doing well as he's still alive and not gaping, I moved him on the rocks where he seems to like but I still get him to attach and my urchin keeps pushing him off the rock and carrying him. He's very responsive till this morning when I found the urchin carrying him I placed him on the rock and normally he opens but he's not opening I see a very tiny bit of mantle through out. What should I do?

 

[Stickboy15]

Pics @DSC reef

 

[DSC reef]

The constant knocking over and moving can lead to an early death of the maxima clam due to stress alone. Never kept urchins but it will become a problem if the clam is unable to stay central for a period of time. Stress from falling and constantly being moved and starvation from little mantle extension are real issues. If you can get the clam to attach to a seperate rock or ceramic cradle that can later be moved is what I'd suggest.

 

[Kelso]

My experience is only with non-photosynthetic bivalves, such as scallops and oysters. But I thought Tridacna clams benefit from supplemental phyto feeding until large enough to sustain themselves on lighting. Can someone with more clam experience elaborate?

 

[Stickboy15]

the clam is fed phyto a few times a week

 

[DSC reef]

Tridacna clams do not need to be fed. Some aquaculture facilities will supplement their farm but the clams are way to small to sell. It's not going to hurt buy any means to dose live phyto occasionally but it's not necessary to keep a clam alive especially if the clam is given the necessary light and tank conditions. It can get 100 percent of its carbon/energy needs from illumination. James Fatheree has some good articles on this.