Supermarket clams

carnophage · 02/12/2010, 03:54 PM

Quick question, may be stupid. Are the clams from the local supermarket, the ones that say "live" actually alive, if so, are they good for anything in a saltwater tank? Thanks

MHannon · 02/12/2010, 04:10 PM

yes they are alive, but they will not live long in a reef tank. They are cold water clams and can not survive in tropical reef environments. Some species of clams are even farmed in fresh water ponds therefore the saltwater will certainly kill them.

wooden_reefer · 02/12/2010, 04:18 PM

Here in Socal there are many Asian SM with many live things.

Most will need a cool water tank to do well. I am always tempted as some fish are quite nice looking.

brycerb · 02/12/2010, 04:21 PM

I tried it, it didn't work. I put the clams in a large bowl with some tank water, they were dead in a couple hours. fifty cents down the drain.

TwistedEnvy · 02/12/2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brycerb

fifty cents down the drain.

That is an expensive gamble right there!

saltybastard · 02/12/2010, 05:06 PM

Ok here's a variation on that question. What if you live in a more warmer area (Florida), could you just take water out of the ocean and throw it in your tank?

carnophage · 02/12/2010, 05:13 PM

no... Pollution washes up to the shore, the water would be really nasty.
Also, how is that a variation of the clam question?

Octoshark · 02/12/2010, 05:23 PM

And as farm as the warm natural water, the temperature of the ocean water at the time of collection is irrelevant because it would just cool down after you remove it form the ocean (if that is what you are referring to by bringing up the point of local warm waters).

But anyways, the clams being discussed need cold water.

Octoshark · 02/12/2010, 05:24 PM

Also, if you were wondering about the clams being sold at a market in an area with warm waters such as Florida, then that doesn't mean the clams being sold there are also warm water; they could have been shipped from colder waters up north (but again I dont really understand the question).

Salamander · 02/12/2010, 05:33 PM

Super market clams can be fine for reef tanks. As food for puffer fish and blended up in my home made reef food.

jason2459 · 02/12/2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salamander

Super market clams can be fine for reef tanks. As food for puffer fish and blended up in my home made reef food.

Yep, my copper banded butterfly loved the black muscles. I'd freeze them first for a few days to kill anything bad that might hitchhike on them first.

carnophage · 02/12/2010, 05:39 PM

If they are grown for human consumption, i would think that there should be no hitchhikers?

jason2459 · 02/12/2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnophage

If they are grown for human consumption, i would think that there should be no hitchhikers?

I'm thinking any micro organisms that would be bad for the reef inhabitants. Nothing like crabs etc. People get sick off these things too...

reefer321 · 02/12/2010, 10:25 PM

Freezing for 2 to 3 days might not get it... I know with rats for my snakes there have been many studies that freezing them for short periods does not kill many micro organisims... But being they are from the ocean might not matter...

02/12/2010, 03:54 PM	#1
carnophage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wa Posts: 418	Supermarket clams Quick question, may be stupid. Are the clams from the local supermarket, the ones that say "live" actually alive, if so, are they good for anything in a saltwater tank? Thanks

02/12/2010, 04:10 PM	#2
MHannon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (Cecil County) Posts: 800	yes they are alive, but they will not live long in a reef tank. They are cold water clams and can not survive in tropical reef environments. Some species of clams are even farmed in fresh water ponds therefore the saltwater will certainly kill them. __________________ "Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway." Current Tank Info: AGA 90gal W/ megaflow, 75gal sump in basement, Mag18 return, Vortech MP40 & MP10, six bulb 48" 54w TEK T-5, ASM G-3 W/ gate valve mod, softies, LPS, SPS, clams, lots of live rock & sand, & a 12 Gallon Nano Cube Deluxe w/ 70watt halide

02/12/2010, 04:21 PM	#4
brycerb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Isle of wight, VA Posts: 541	I tried it, it didn't work. I put the clams in a large bowl with some tank water, they were dead in a couple hours. fifty cents down the drain. __________________ -Luckily, my wife is reef safe so I can use my normal income for this hobby. -My cichlids love RO waste! Current Tank Info: 7.5 gallon box with water in it.

02/12/2010, 05:23 PM	#8
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	And as farm as the warm natural water, the temperature of the ocean water at the time of collection is irrelevant because it would just cool down after you remove it form the ocean (if that is what you are referring to by bringing up the point of local warm waters). But anyways, the clams being discussed need cold water. __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

02/12/2010, 05:24 PM	#9
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	Also, if you were wondering about the clams being sold at a market in an area with warm waters such as Florida, then that doesn't mean the clams being sold there are also warm water; they could have been shipped from colder waters up north (but again I dont really understand the question). __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

02/12/2010, 04:18 PM	#3
wooden_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,670	Here in Socal there are many Asian SM with many live things. Most will need a cool water tank to do well. I am always tempted as some fish are quite nice looking.

02/12/2010, 05:06 PM	#6
saltybastard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 179	Ok here's a variation on that question. What if you live in a more warmer area (Florida), could you just take water out of the ocean and throw it in your tank?

02/12/2010, 05:13 PM	#7
carnophage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wa Posts: 418	no... Pollution washes up to the shore, the water would be really nasty. Also, how is that a variation of the clam question?

02/12/2010, 05:33 PM	#10
Salamander Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 2,103	Super market clams can be fine for reef tanks. As food for puffer fish and blended up in my home made reef food. __________________ I feel more like myself now than I did before. Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef, 2 x 250W DE MH, 2 x 54w T5, MSX 200 SKimmer, 2 Koralia 4's, 40g fuge/sump, QT

02/12/2010, 05:39 PM	#12
carnophage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wa Posts: 418	If they are grown for human consumption, i would think that there should be no hitchhikers?

02/12/2010, 10:25 PM	#14
reefer321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 94	Freezing for 2 to 3 days might not get it... I know with rats for my snakes there have been many studies that freezing them for short periods does not kill many micro organisims... But being they are from the ocean might not matter... __________________ 95g Wave Tank with 29g Sump 2 250 MH 4 36w Actinic Mixed Reef / 75g with 20g long Sump FOWLR / 40g breader Mixed Reef with pc lights Current Tank Info: 95g Wave with a 29g Sump, 75 g with a 20 g sump