Can Tridacna giant clams be kept with octopi?

WWCC · 12/01/2009, 11:31 PM

Please respond, can giant clams be kept with octopi or cuttlefish?

MandM · 12/02/2009, 12:35 AM

In short, no.

I was trying to find some links but the user Thales from the Bar Area Reefers has a lot of experience with cephalopods. I've only seen them in single species tanks.

Gin_Tseng · 12/02/2009, 01:13 AM

I don't think it would be a good idea either. The octopi live in much colder temperatures than tridacna clams.

MandM · 12/02/2009, 01:43 AM

And they will eat them.

WWCC · 12/02/2009, 12:29 PM

Well, concerning the water composition issue, I think they are alright. because Tridacna prefer to be kept at around 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025 and Octopus joubini care to be kept around 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.2-8.4. But about the eating thing; wouldn't the clams be too big for something like a 3" pygmy octopus? (check picture) http://benson-k.web.lynchburg.edu/ba...s/image174.jpg Thank you for responding!

WWCC · 12/02/2009, 01:10 PM

So, what are your thoughts still on the size issue?

WWCC · 12/02/2009, 01:12 PM

well, also flamboyant cuttlefish come from tropical waters so their temp is ok also...

Ohiomom · 12/02/2009, 01:36 PM

from what I have read about octopi they are extremely difficult to keep in an aquarium as they are escape artists..

as far as the clam I think even if it couldn't kill it right away it would continually pick at it and eventually kill it..

JamesJR · 12/02/2009, 01:42 PM

I don't think the octopus would much appreciate the bright lighting needed for a Clam. My experience is that they seem to like more subdued lighting as many of them tend to be nocturnal.

Rangereefer · 12/03/2009, 12:13 AM

Octopi and cuttlefish make for bad aquaria pets...they have very short lifespans and as far as octopi go we really don't totally understand exactly what their numbers are in the wild...aside from the ethical points of view as James said the Octopus would not like the bright light and would hide until it was "nighttime"...as far as size go the clam is probably too big for an octopus to consume

captsluggo · 12/03/2009, 01:08 AM

A friend had an octopus years ago and they do find a way to escape. He always said if there is a way for you to get in the tank, there is a way for the octopus to get out.
A very neat animal, not practical for most of us.
Captsluggo

lllosingit · 12/03/2009, 02:18 AM

I think you'll get better results if you post in the Cephalopods section of Reef Central http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38

loosecannon · 12/03/2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWCC

Please respond, can giant clams be kept with octopi or cuttlefish?

No!

jflick345 · 12/03/2009, 10:11 PM

Not if you want to avoid the octopus having one expensive meal. Octopuses have a toothed tongue called a radula that they use to drill through the shells of mollusks. It might take him some time but my money is on the octopus in the end.

David Jr. · 12/03/2009, 10:17 PM

Or he could just pick the clam up and throw it at the glass.

Playa-1 · 12/03/2009, 10:38 PM

Or maybe it will go into the kitchen and make a Sammich

12/01/2009, 11:31 PM	#1
WWCC Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: La Digue, Seychelles Posts: 103	Can Tridacna giant clams be kept with octopi? Please respond, can giant clams be kept with octopi or cuttlefish?

12/02/2009, 12:35 AM	#2
MandM sick yet brilliant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,497	In short, no. I was trying to find some links but the user Thales from the Bar Area Reefers has a lot of experience with cephalopods. I've only seen them in single species tanks. __________________ Sheila I was emo when emo wasn't cool If your not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. Current Tank Info: 120g, 8g

12/02/2009, 01:43 AM	#4
MandM sick yet brilliant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,497	And they will eat them. __________________ Sheila I was emo when emo wasn't cool If your not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. Current Tank Info: 120g, 8g

12/02/2009, 12:29 PM	#5
WWCC Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: La Digue, Seychelles Posts: 103	RE: Can Tridacna giant clams be kept with octopi or cuttefish? Well, concerning the water composition issue, I think they are alright. because Tridacna prefer to be kept at around 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025 and Octopus joubini care to be kept around 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.2-8.4. But about the eating thing; wouldn't the clams be too big for something like a 3" pygmy octopus? (check picture) http://benson-k.web.lynchburg.edu/ba...s/image174.jpg Thank you for responding! Last edited by WWCC; 12/02/2009 at 01:05 PM.

12/02/2009, 01:36 PM	#8
Ohiomom Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,586	from what I have read about octopi they are extremely difficult to keep in an aquarium as they are escape artists.. as far as the clam I think even if it couldn't kill it right away it would continually pick at it and eventually kill it.. __________________ .....Sandra “Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Current Tank Info: 75 galllon reef, T5HO love em!

12/02/2009, 01:13 AM	#3
Gin_Tseng Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 52	I don't think it would be a good idea either. The octopi live in much colder temperatures than tridacna clams.

12/02/2009, 01:10 PM	#6
WWCC Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: La Digue, Seychelles Posts: 103	So, what are your thoughts still on the size issue?

12/02/2009, 01:12 PM	#7
WWCC Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: La Digue, Seychelles Posts: 103	well, also flamboyant cuttlefish come from tropical waters so their temp is ok also...

12/02/2009, 01:42 PM	#9
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	I don't think the octopus would much appreciate the bright lighting needed for a Clam. My experience is that they seem to like more subdued lighting as many of them tend to be nocturnal. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

12/03/2009, 12:13 AM	#10
Rangereefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia, Minnesota Posts: 55	Octopi and cuttlefish make for bad aquaria pets...they have very short lifespans and as far as octopi go we really don't totally understand exactly what their numbers are in the wild...aside from the ethical points of view as James said the Octopus would not like the bright light and would hide until it was "nighttime"...as far as size go the clam is probably too big for an octopus to consume

12/03/2009, 01:08 AM	#11
captsluggo Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 76	A friend had an octopus years ago and they do find a way to escape. He always said if there is a way for you to get in the tank, there is a way for the octopus to get out. A very neat animal, not practical for most of us. Captsluggo

12/03/2009, 02:18 AM	#12
lllosingit Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Des Moines Iowa Posts: 3,190	I think you'll get better results if you post in the Cephalopods section of Reef Central http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38 __________________ It Was Funny Until Someone Got Hurt..........Then It Was Hilarious! Current Tank Info: DD 250 60x36x27 450 gallon total system.

12/03/2009, 10:11 PM	#14
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	Not if you want to avoid the octopus having one expensive meal. Octopuses have a toothed tongue called a radula that they use to drill through the shells of mollusks. It might take him some time but my money is on the octopus in the end.

12/03/2009, 10:17 PM	#15
David Jr. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 147	Or he could just pick the clam up and throw it at the glass.

12/03/2009, 10:38 PM	#16
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Or maybe it will go into the kitchen and make a Sammich