Mini Sandbed Clams

[Ron Primas]

Hi all. Happy Holidays! Does anyone here know where o can purchase the same mini sandbed clams that IPSF used to sell?
They don't seem to sell them anymore and have not responded to multiple emails. I am not sure if they are still in business.
They were amazing creatures and did a lot for sandbed turnover and detritus removal.
Thanks!

 

[Reefahholic]

Hi all. Happy Holidays! Does anyone here know where o can purchase the same mini sandbed clams that IPSF used to sell?
They don't seem to sell them anymore and have not responded to multiple emails. I am not sure if they are still in business.
They were amazing creatures and did a lot for sandbed turnover and detritus removal.
Thanks!

Are you talking about these?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Hi all. Happy Holidays! Does anyone here know where o can purchase the same mini sandbed clams that IPSF used to sell?
They don't seem to sell them anymore and have not responded to multiple emails. I am not sure if they are still in business.
They were amazing creatures and did a lot for sandbed turnover and detritus removal.
Thanks!

So, IPSF said on their site that the clams were from the genus Tapes, and I’ve seen claims that the species is Tapes japonicus (japonica) - this is a synonym for the accepted species name of Ruditapes philippinarum, A.K.A. the manila clam. If so, you can find them just about anywhere that sells live seafoods in the U.S. (though at a minimum legal sale size of 1 1/2”, they’ll be much bigger than the ones available through IPSF.

That said, you can also get Coquina clams and Cross-barred Venus clams from places like ReefCleaners, and these may be similar in behavior (i.e. small sand-sifters) to what you’re looking for.

 

[Ron Primas]

So, IPSF said on their site that the clams were from the genus Tapes, and I’ve seen claims that the species is Tapes japonicus (japonica) - this is a synonym for the accepted species name of Ruditapes philippinarum, A.K.A. the manila clam. If so, you can find them just about anywhere that sells live seafoods in the U.S. (though at a minimum legal sale size of 1 1/2”, they’ll be much bigger than the ones available through IPSF.

That said, you can also get Coquina clams and Cross-barred Venus clams from places like ReefCleaners, and these may be similar in behavior (i.e. small sand-sifters) to what you’re looking for.

Thank you so much!!! Really appreciate the advice!!! HAve a great day!

So, IPSF said on their site that the clams were from the genus Tapes, and I’ve seen claims that the species is Tapes japonicus (japonica) - this is a synonym for the accepted species name of Ruditapes philippinarum, A.K.A. the manila clam. If so, you can find them just about anywhere that sells live seafoods in the U.S. (though at a minimum legal sale size of 1 1/2”, they’ll be much bigger than the ones available through IPSF.

That said, you can also get Coquina clams and Cross-barred Venus clams from places like ReefCleaners, and these may be similar in behavior (i.e. small sand-sifters) to what you’re looking for.

 

[Ron Primas]

Thank you so much!!! Really appreciate the advice!!! Have a great day! Happy Holidays!!!

 

[Ron Primas]

IPSF still hasn't been answering. Do you know if they are still in business? Thanks!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

IPSF still hasn't been answering. Do you know if they are still in business? Thanks!

I’m not sure - but I’m happy to give you a bump here to see if someone knows. They may be taking a break for the holidays like KP Aquatics though.

 

[Ron Primas]

Thjank you! I'd appreciate that as I have been trying to get a hold of them for over a month.Thanks! Happy New Year1!!!

 

[Ron Primas]

I’m not sure - but I’m happy to give you a bump here to see if someone knows. They may be taking a break for the holidays like KP Aquatics though.

That'd be amazing! Thank you so much!

 

[Ron Primas]

Thank you so much!!! Really appreciate the advice!!! HAve a great day!

So, IPSF said on their site that the clams were from the genus Tapes, and I’ve seen claims that the species is Tapes japonicus (japonica) - this is a synonym for the accepted species name of Ruditapes philippinarum, A.K.A. the manila clam. If so, you can find them just about anywhere that sells live seafoods in the U.S. (though at a minimum legal sale size of 1 1/2”, they’ll be much bigger than the ones available through IPSF.

That said, you can also get Coquina clams and Cross-barred Venus clams from places like ReefCleaners, and these may be similar in behavior (i.e. small sand-sifters) to what you’re looking for.

Thanks again. I see that Reef Cleaners now has Cross-barred Venus clams in stock but they say they are filter feeders but there is no mention of sand sifting. What are your thoughts? They are not answering.
Appreciate this.

 

[Ron Primas]

Are you talking about these?

Looks like it.Thanks so much!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Thanks again. I see that Reef Cleaners now has Cross-barred Venus clams in stock but they say they are filter feeders but there is no mention of sand sifting. What are your thoughts? They are not answering.
Appreciate this.

Doing a bit more reading up on it, I don't know how much sand sifting they (or any other clam) do, but they do at least burrow.* So, I'd guess they're equivalent with the Coquina clam, but I could definitely be wrong; if you want a bigger burrowing clam, you can go with either Mercenaria campechiensis or Macrocallista nimbosa, both of which typically range from ~2.5-6".

You can find all three here (I believe you have to call to place an order though):

Bivalves - Gulf Specimen Marine Lab

CLASS PELECYPODA M-630 COMMON BAY SCALLOP, Argopecten irradians An active colorful bivalve that swims around the aquarium in spasmodic jerks. Has sapphire blue eye spots on its frilled mantle. Available April through November. Size 4-6 cm. Summer Each: $10.50 Summer Dozen: $80.00 Winter Each...

gulfspecimen.org

*Source for burrowing:

Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory Taxon Profile

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Never seen this before... Following and researching thank you

 

[Ron Primas]

Never seen this before... Following and researching thank you

Thank you so much!

 

[Ron Primas]

Doing a bit more reading up on it, I don't know how much sand sifting they (or any other clam) do, but they do at least burrow.* So, I'd guess they're equivalent with the Coquina clam, but I could definitely be wrong; if you want a bigger burrowing clam, you can go with either Mercenaria campechiensis or Macrocallista nimbosa, both of which typically range from ~2.5-6".



Thank you so much!!!



























You can find all three here (I believe you have to call to place an order though):

Bivalves - Gulf Specimen Marine Lab

CLASS PELECYPODA M-630 COMMON BAY SCALLOP, Argopecten irradians An active colorful bivalve that swims around the aquarium in spasmodic jerks. Has sapphire blue eye spots on its frilled mantle. Available April through November. Size 4-6 cm. Summer Each: $10.50 Summer Dozen: $80.00 Winter Each...

gulfspecimen.org

*Source for burrowing:

Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory Taxon Profile

Thank you so much!

 

[Ron Primas]

Doing a bit more reading up on it, I don't know how much sand sifting they (or any other clam) do, but they do at least burrow.* So, I'd guess they're equivalent with the Coquina clam, but I could definitely be wrong; if you want a bigger burrowing clam, you can go with either Mercenaria campechiensis or Macrocallista nimbosa, both of which typically range from ~2.5-6".

You can find all three here (I believe you have to call to place an order though):

Bivalves - Gulf Specimen Marine Lab

CLASS PELECYPODA M-630 COMMON BAY SCALLOP, Argopecten irradians An active colorful bivalve that swims around the aquarium in spasmodic jerks. Has sapphire blue eye spots on its frilled mantle. Available April through November. Size 4-6 cm. Summer Each: $10.50 Summer Dozen: $80.00 Winter Each...

gulfspecimen.org

*Source for burrowing:

Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory Taxon Profile

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Ron Primas]

Thank you so much!!!