New Clam - Need Help

VahanM · 02/06/2008, 11:02 AM

Ok so my cousin dropped by on Sunday and brought this clam so I can add it to my tank. I asked him what kind of clam it was and he didn't know. I asked him how I was supposed to care for it and he didn't know.

I need some help identifying it and finding out how I'm supposed to care for it. I have a very basic FOWLR setup with cheap fluourescent lights. I've had the tank for 8 months and my water parameters are fine.

Since it was a gift, I didn't want to take it to the fish store. What should I do?

mbbuna · 02/06/2008, 11:17 AM

its a T. derasa.

what lighting do you have and how deep is the tank?

what fish do you have in the tank.

Derasa's are the most hardy and a good beginners clams. as with any calcifying organism you will need to test and maintain Ca, Alk and Mg regularly. All tridacnid clams are photosynthetic and need strong light

VahanM · 02/06/2008, 11:29 AM

I have a couple clowns, couple firefish, a six-line wrasse, and a blue tang.

The sandbed is about 1.5 inches deep but I have the cheapest lighting so I'm gonna move him up on a rock so he'll be closer to the lights.

mbbuna · 02/06/2008, 11:48 AM

clams need really intense light. moving it closer to the light may help short term but if you have a regular fluorescent light you do not have enough light to support the clam long term. i would suggest upgrading your light to HO T5's or MH or return the clam.

VahanM · 02/06/2008, 11:59 AM

I'll upgrade my lighting soon.

Thanks for the help.

Zoophile · 02/06/2008, 12:10 PM

In addition to the lighting problem, is it also safe to assume you don't have reef-safe fish in your FOWLR? It wouldn't make much sense to upgrade to expensive lighting just for the benefit of the clam if your fish are only going to eat it. Even though it was a gift, you still might want to consider returning it to the fish store for credit and explain to your cousin that you didn't want to kill the clam. Man, you have nice relatives! Mine only drop by and drink all my beer

NirvanaFan · 02/06/2008, 12:19 PM

You could put the derasa on the rockwork if you wanted. Mine has been on a rock for over 3 months now and has been doing great. It might be a good idea to do that if it will be awhile before you upgrade lights.

VahanM · 02/06/2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zoophile
In addition to the lighting problem, is it also safe to assume you don't have reef-safe fish in your FOWLR? It wouldn't make much sense to upgrade to expensive lighting just for the benefit of the clam if your fish are only going to eat it. Even though it was a gift, you still might want to consider returning it to the fish store for credit and explain to your cousin that you didn't want to kill the clam. Man, you have nice relatives! Mine only drop by and drink all my beer

I think my fish are reef-safe. I don't have any angels or butterflies. Just 2 Clowns, 2 Firefish, a Six-Line Wrasse, and a Blue Tang.

02/06/2008, 11:02 AM	#1
VahanM Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 180	New Clam - Need Help Ok so my cousin dropped by on Sunday and brought this clam so I can add it to my tank. I asked him what kind of clam it was and he didn't know. I asked him how I was supposed to care for it and he didn't know. I need some help identifying it and finding out how I'm supposed to care for it. I have a very basic FOWLR setup with cheap fluourescent lights. I've had the tank for 8 months and my water parameters are fine. Since it was a gift, I didn't want to take it to the fish store. What should I do?

02/06/2008, 11:17 AM	#2
mbbuna Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6,847	its a T. derasa. what lighting do you have and how deep is the tank? what fish do you have in the tank. Derasa's are the most hardy and a good beginners clams. as with any calcifying organism you will need to test and maintain Ca, Alk and Mg regularly. All tridacnid clams are photosynthetic and need strong light

02/06/2008, 11:29 AM	#3
VahanM Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 180	I have a couple clowns, couple firefish, a six-line wrasse, and a blue tang. The sandbed is about 1.5 inches deep but I have the cheapest lighting so I'm gonna move him up on a rock so he'll be closer to the lights.

02/06/2008, 11:48 AM	#4
mbbuna Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6,847	clams need really intense light. moving it closer to the light may help short term but if you have a regular fluorescent light you do not have enough light to support the clam long term. i would suggest upgrading your light to HO T5's or MH or return the clam.

02/06/2008, 11:59 AM	#5
VahanM Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 180	I'll upgrade my lighting soon. Thanks for the help.

02/06/2008, 12:10 PM	#6
Zoophile Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NC Posts: 168	In addition to the lighting problem, is it also safe to assume you don't have reef-safe fish in your FOWLR? It wouldn't make much sense to upgrade to expensive lighting just for the benefit of the clam if your fish are only going to eat it. Even though it was a gift, you still might want to consider returning it to the fish store for credit and explain to your cousin that you didn't want to kill the clam. Man, you have nice relatives! Mine only drop by and drink all my beer

02/06/2008, 12:19 PM	#7
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	You could put the derasa on the rockwork if you wanted. Mine has been on a rock for over 3 months now and has been doing great. It might be a good idea to do that if it will be awhile before you upgrade lights.