New Clam - What's Your Guess

[ocboat]

I bought this small clam about a week ago and wanted some opinion on what species you think it is. Here is some additional information. It was listed online locally with two other clams, both were blue squamosas with the traditional striped pattern. This one was listed a a crocea although it is obviously not a crocea. When I went to pick it up, I saw the other two listed blue squamosas that were the same size as this one, as well as several tiny blue maximas. So with that information, what do you think?

 

[gilman]

Crocea I would say

 

[DSC reef]

Tridacna squamosa, a very nice one at that!

 

[P-Dub]

I'd say, with almost 99.9% certainty, based on the photos and your description... Maxima. But, what do I know???

 

[ocboat]

I took a chance hoping that it was a squamosa.

 

[DSC reef]

I took a chance hoping that it was a squamosa.

The scutes, tentacles around the incurrent siphon and how the clams eyes are around the edge of the mantle are what makes me believe it's a squamosa.

 

[P-Dub]

The scutes, tentacles around the incurrent siphon and how the clams eyes are around the edge of the mantle are what makes me believe it's a squamosa.

Those are the same reasons I believe it to be a Maxima...;Hilarious those and the mantle and byssal opening and it looks, structurally, much the same as my Maxima.

 

[DSC reef]

Those are the same reasons I believe it to be a Maxima...;Hilarious those and the mantle and byssal opening and it looks, structurally, much the same as my Maxima.

Distinctions can be confusing, I've been wrong before and clams can bend the rules with their characteristics. Lol.

 

[P-Dub]

@ocboat Go here http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/jf/feature/index.php and tell us what you think. You have a better view than we do...

 

[P-Dub]

Distinctions can be confusing, I've been wrong before and clams can bend the rules with their characteristics. Lol.

That, sir, is an understatement...

 

[ocboat]

@ocboat Go here http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/jf/feature/index.php and tell us what you think. You have a better view than we do...

Thanks for the link. Based on the descriptions and pictures it is more similar to a squmosa but it's really hard to tell at this small size. It has a relatively small byssal opening and the scutes are spaced far apart. Then again, I have a derasa that has as many scutes as my other squamosa so I guess I'll just have to wait until it grows some more.

 

[P-Dub]

Thanks for the link. Based on the descriptions and pictures it is more similar to a squmosa but it's really hard to tell at this small size. It has a relatively small byssal opening and the scutes are spaced far apart. Then again, I have a derasa that has as many scutes as my other squamosa so I guess I'll just have to wait until it grows some more.

What about the incurrent siphon?

 

[ocboat]

I can't seem to get a very good look at the tentacles but the few that I can see, they appear to be a little larger than the ones on my maxima but I can't tell if they are "elaborate" or simple.

 

[DSC reef]

If the maxima is around the same size then you should notice a difference in growth rates.

 

[KrisReef]

After reviewing the literature and viewing the pictures (I can't really see the incurrent tentacles partially because the blue coloration of this individual is so spectacular) I have determined this to be without a doubt a fine specimen Maxima confusa

but possibly a T. squamosa . Grow it up for a few years and give us something larger to look at. :)

 

[campaign000]

T. Squamosa no doubt.