Mini clams?

Johmanda · Sep 16, 2012

Are there any species of clams that are small? What are the special needs/requirements for clams?

AlexStinson · Sep 16, 2012

Calcium, light and a filter feeding food (i.e. phytoplankton). Maximas and Croceas are the smallest, with most maximas available in the 2-3" range. They can still outgrow a small tank though.

skinz78 · Sep 23, 2012

Agreed, go with the Maxima's and Crocea's, you don't need to feed Phyto though.

o2manyfish · Sep 23, 2012

Sometimes the maxima's come in around the 3/4" to 1" size. Colors are spectacular. The clams are pretty hardy if you get them mounted/glued to the rock work. I think when they are under 2" you need to add some food to the water column for them. I have one blue maxima that started at 3/4" and now 2.5 years later is up to 5+inch and is fully embedded into the rock I mounted him in.

The crocea come in closer to 1.75" to 2" not nearly as tiny as the maximas. When the maximas come in a 1" Maxima is less that .5" tall. Where the croceas a 1.5" crocea is close to 1.5" tall.

Dave B

skinz78 · Sep 23, 2012

o2manyfish said:
Sometimes the maxima's come in around the 3/4" to 1" size. Colors are spectacular. The clams are pretty hardy if you get them mounted/glued to the rock work. I think when they are under 2" you need to add some food to the water column for them. I have one blue maxima that started at 3/4" and now 2.5 years later is up to 5+inch and is fully embedded into the rock I mounted him in.

The crocea come in closer to 1.75" to 2" not nearly as tiny as the maximas. When the maximas come in a 1" Maxima is less that .5" tall. Where the croceas a 1.5" crocea is close to 1.5" tall.

Dave B

Sweet successes! Do you have any pic's showing the Maxima embedded in the rock?

Saltwatertaylor · Sep 23, 2012

I have been considering putting a small one in my 14g nano cube! Is that too small of a tank?

skinz78 · Sep 23, 2012

Naw, you are good to go!

Saltwatertaylor · Sep 23, 2012

Awesome! Now to find a killer deal for a clam.... the search begins.

jonbar1 · Sep 23, 2012

The only hard part about keeping one in a nano is that they use up calcium and alkalinity pretty fast. Keep up the dosing and you should be fine. Also, what lighting are you using? They need bright light like you would use for SPS.

Hippopus clams stay pretty small compared to the others, though they aren't quite as brightly colored as maximas and croceas.

NanaReefer · Sep 23, 2012

Just to share in your excitement. Here's a pic of my T. Crocea in my 26g now for 1yr!! Bought at 2 1/2" is now 4-5" Sitting 11" under T5HO's. As you can see an empty half clam shell makes a wonderful holder and gives you the option of moving it if needed.
Good luck and enjoy!!