Clam advice please

[faiz_latif]

Hey guys I have a nice maxima who’s been in my tank just over a year. He doesn’t seem to extend as much as others I’ve seen online. He does look happy and is quite responsive, I’m wondering if there’s anything that could be bugging him. He’s tucked amongst acros so gets a good amount of flow and is receiving ~500 par give or take 50 par. Was wondering people’s thoughts as I plan to get one more soon. I’ve seen him shimmy and scoot maybe 4-5 times over the last year so he doesn’t look to be trying to move and see new growth rings regularly. (Picture attached)

 

[Miami Reef]

Clam looks great to me. It’s an individual thing, but the current extension looks healthy.

 

[minus9]

Yeah, it looks good. Just make sure there's new growth and the shell has full range of motion (opening). If it's cramped and can't open its shell fully, that may be why the mantle isn't extended? I've had clams that wouldn't extend their mantle fully and they were perfectly fine and growing. Lighting, flow, etc all play into why mantles extend or not. I imagine in its current position it's getting plenty of light.

 

[OrionN]

How extended the mantles are depends on mostly 2 factors. How much light and genetic. Some clams, with in the same species, extended their mantle more than other in the same condition. This is genetic. However, if it is lack of light and wants more, it extends its mantle out more to collect as much light as it can. If this is not enough, it will look great one day and dead the next when its energy storage ran out. Before this happen, if you know how look, you will see that it is get thinner (less mass in the shell) and will not grow so there is no new shell even if it is fully extended every day.
You calm is growing, so it is doing well.

 

[gigasclam1972]

Excess current can also impact clam extension. Gentle random flow is best. But if your clam is growing than its happy with its environment. Good work!

 

[faiz_latif]

Excess current can also impact clam extension. Gentle random flow is best. But if your clam is growing than its happy with its environment. Good work!

He does get a lot of flow, unfortunately I’m counting on the sps growing in a little to shield him as they also need the flow. Would it be okay to leave like this for now?

 

[gigasclam1972]

He does get a lot of flow, unfortunately I’m counting on the sps growing in a little to shield him as they also need the flow. Would it be okay to leave like this for now?

Just as long as as it's not a strong current blowing on it directly all day long. Try to provide random flow if possible, or provide regular periods of slower current if true random patterns aren't possible.

 

[OrionN]

Yes. Strong currents will decreases extension too.

 

[faiz_latif]

Just as long as as it's not a strong current blowing on it directly all day long. Try to provide random flow if possible, or provide regular periods of slower current if true random patterns aren't possible.

I have randomized it. The mp’s ramp up to ~75 and back down slowly at different times/paces. It’s funny I used to be so worried about keeping him alive and now I’m fussing over extension lol

 

[faiz_latif]

Thank you guys general consensus is he’s fine, and if anything reduce the flow!

 

[minus9]

Thank you guys general consensus is he’s fine, and if anything reduce the flow!

I don’t think you need to reduce the flow, just move the powerheads so they don’t blow directly on the clam. If the mantle gets buffeted from time to time, it’s not a big deal, you just don’t want the mantle pinned back.