How Big Do Maximas Get?

Liquid360 · Mar 20, 2019

I just purchased the largest Maxima I’ve ever seen. It’s easily 6in plus. So I was just curious, how large do these things get? Or are they indeterminate?

dantimdad · Mar 20, 2019

I have personally seen one that was 17" across.

Someone here had one die that was 18"

I don't think they ever stop growing and can live decades.

DSC reef · Mar 20, 2019

Typically 14-18" for a maxima but it would take a very long time. Once they reach a certain size I believe the shell will get thicker rather than grow longer but I'd have look up some articles to be sure.

Liquid360 · Mar 20, 2019

Thanks! That’s what I meant. They call this indeterminate growth, animal growing as long as it remains alive.

Neo Jeo · Mar 20, 2019

What if it gets as big as your tank...

Then what? Just have a clam in a bowl?

hart24601 · Mar 20, 2019

dantimdad said:
I have personally seen one that was 17" across.

Someone here had one die that was 18"

I don't think they ever stop growing and can live decades.

That was a maxima? Was it 300 years old, lol

I will have to look at Fathertree's book again, but I saw another source saying 14" takes 40 to 60 years for a maxima and that is exceptionally large for the species.

I think for most folks can expect 8" or so if their maxima does really well and they keep it a decade or so. Not that they can't get bigger of course, but especially if starting with a cultured clam (under 4", above 4" is wild collected).