Rarest clam in the hobby...? Hybrid inside!

Johnny C · 12/03/2009, 09:14 PM

Here's a cell phone quality picture of the nicest/rarest clam I have ever seen; double mantled!

Thoughts/Comments?

PS- Will add a better quality photo soon. Stay tuned...

Pineapple House · 12/03/2009, 09:20 PM

Where is the double mantle? Are you referring to the two bottom two lips that have merged into one?

Graham

dan10342 · 12/03/2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineapple House

Where is the double mantle? Are you referring to the two bottom two lips that have merged into one?

Graham

look close... its got two separate mantles on one clam

noahm · 12/03/2009, 09:49 PM

It must be a bad angle, because I see a regular looking clam.

axia55 · 12/03/2009, 09:50 PM

I'm not seeing it either.

noahm · 12/03/2009, 09:54 PM

Actually, maybe I am seeing it. I was thinking like two layers, but it kind of looks like it could be two separate mantles split at the middle of the clam perpendicular to the 'smile'. There is a bit of overlap there that looks different. Like two clams stuffed into a larger shell. Hard to tell since its not fully opened. Is that what you are talking about?

popoetr · 12/03/2009, 09:57 PM

Might be a bad pic but im not that impressed.

slapshot · 12/03/2009, 09:58 PM

I see it. Top and bottom. Interesting I would love to see a better picture. Does it have 4 openings?

Johnny C · 12/03/2009, 10:08 PM

Thanks for the comments. I know the picture quality is terrible and does not clearly show where the mantles are split. I will bust out the DSLR tomarrow and get a real picture. This clam came in from ORA as a regular maxima, which it is clearly not.

Maybe this will help...

reefing102 · 12/04/2009, 08:19 AM

hmm interesting looking clam, did you buy it?

squidy3 · 12/04/2009, 08:24 AM

How big is the clam?

stanlalee · 12/04/2009, 08:41 AM

siamese deformaty withstanding it still looks like a regular maxima until pics show otherwise.

noahm · 12/04/2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanlalee

siamese deformaty withstanding it still looks like a regular maxima until pics show otherwise.

That is probably why ORA did not even notice. It is hard to tell from the pic, but even if it does have 4 valves and two mantles, I think most people would not notice at first glance. If it is a very nice color as well, it will make an attractive novelty item that someone will want more badly than others though. Not downplaying the uniqueness at all. It is pretty unusual.

Gary Majchrzak · 12/04/2009, 09:57 AM

never seen any clam like THAT before!

Boyman · 12/04/2009, 10:23 AM

I see it! It looks like two clams in one

I think people are looking for two different coloration or patterns

but what I see is same pattern/color but two layers?

dan10342 · 12/04/2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popoetr

Might be a bad pic but im not that impressed.

No offense, but it's DEF a bad pic. I saw this clam in person about a week ago, and its bright neon blue with patterns throughout the mantles.

I believe when i saw it, one of the mantles has a mouth. the other has the output siphon thing.

it seems like it is ONE clam, with ONE mouth, ONE output siphon hole, and TWO separate "mantles" if that makes any sense at all...

it would be like a human, which shares a pair of legs, but has two upperbodies. one upper body has lungs, and the other has a heart. (for an analogy... idk if this is possible in real life though)

insane · 12/04/2009, 10:35 AM

Not to burst your bubble but it looks like the mantle may have just folded over itself. It may not have had enough calcium available to be able to build its shell fast enough and the mantle grew more than the shell.

NCSUsalt · 12/04/2009, 11:18 AM

I'd guess it had some sort of cleaving or tearing injury to the mantle and it just healed with a little overlap

jbird69 · 12/04/2009, 11:28 AM

Itll be interesting to see what happens as it grows. Its possible it is an overgrown fold, like insane suggested. Either way, its interesting. Did you buy it?

Tom Foolery · 12/04/2009, 11:36 AM

That is pretty interesting. Would love to see a pic of its profile too.

luther1200 · 12/04/2009, 02:49 PM

I see what you are talking about, but do not think it is a seperate mantle.

IslandCrow · 12/04/2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

it would be like a human, which shares a pair of legs, but has two upperbodies. one upper body has lungs, and the other has a heart. (for an analogy... idk if this is possible in real life though)

Actually, it seems more to me like a human with a cleft lip. Certainly an oddity to some degree, though.

camaroracer214 · 12/04/2009, 03:38 PM

holding out for better quality picture

tedpolzin · 12/04/2009, 04:06 PM

More pics please, yes that is a neat looking clam.

Whisperer · 12/04/2009, 04:58 PM

Looks like two clams placed end-to-end.

12/03/2009, 09:14 PM	#1
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	Rarest clam in the hobby...? Hybrid inside! Here's a cell phone quality picture of the nicest/rarest clam I have ever seen; double mantled! Thoughts/Comments? PS- Will add a better quality photo soon. Stay tuned... __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

12/03/2009, 09:20 PM	#2
Pineapple House Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 1,748	Where is the double mantle? Are you referring to the two bottom two lips that have merged into one? Graham __________________ RYAN'S LAW: Make three correct guesses consecutively and you will establish yourself as an expert.

12/03/2009, 10:08 PM	#9
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	Thanks for the comments. I know the picture quality is terrible and does not clearly show where the mantles are split. I will bust out the DSLR tomarrow and get a real picture. This clam came in from ORA as a regular maxima, which it is clearly not. Maybe this will help... __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau Last edited by Johnny C; 12/03/2009 at 10:14 PM.

12/04/2009, 08:19 AM	#10
reefing102 Who Am I Here? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 1,155	hmm interesting looking clam, did you buy it? __________________ Shane Life's a climb... but the view is great. ______________________________ Current Tank Info: 2.5 Gallon Nano

12/04/2009, 09:57 AM	#14
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	wow never seen any clam like THAT before! __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

12/03/2009, 09:49 PM	#4
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	It must be a bad angle, because I see a regular looking clam.

12/03/2009, 09:50 PM	#5
axia55 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: North Canton, OH Posts: 993	I'm not seeing it either.

12/03/2009, 09:54 PM	#6
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	Actually, maybe I am seeing it. I was thinking like two layers, but it kind of looks like it could be two separate mantles split at the middle of the clam perpendicular to the 'smile'. There is a bit of overlap there that looks different. Like two clams stuffed into a larger shell. Hard to tell since its not fully opened. Is that what you are talking about?

12/03/2009, 09:57 PM	#7
popoetr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 14	Might be a bad pic but im not that impressed.

12/03/2009, 09:58 PM	#8
slapshot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan Posts: 1,791	I see it. Top and bottom. Interesting I would love to see a better picture. Does it have 4 openings?

12/04/2009, 08:24 AM	#11
squidy3 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 54	How big is the clam?

12/04/2009, 08:41 AM	#12
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	siamese deformaty withstanding it still looks like a regular maxima until pics show otherwise.

12/04/2009, 10:23 AM	#15
Boyman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York, New York Posts: 327	I see it! It looks like two clams in one I think people are looking for two different coloration or patterns but what I see is same pattern/color but two layers?

12/04/2009, 10:35 AM	#17
insane Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: under your bed Posts: 771 Blog Entries: 7	Not to burst your bubble but it looks like the mantle may have just folded over itself. It may not have had enough calcium available to be able to build its shell fast enough and the mantle grew more than the shell.

12/04/2009, 11:18 AM	#18
NCSUsalt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: raleigh, NC Posts: 619	I'd guess it had some sort of cleaving or tearing injury to the mantle and it just healed with a little overlap

12/04/2009, 11:28 AM	#19
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	Itll be interesting to see what happens as it grows. Its possible it is an overgrown fold, like insane suggested. Either way, its interesting. Did you buy it? __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

12/04/2009, 11:36 AM	#20
Tom Foolery Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 53	That is pretty interesting. Would love to see a pic of its profile too.

12/04/2009, 02:49 PM	#21
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I see what you are talking about, but do not think it is a seperate mantle. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

12/04/2009, 03:38 PM	#23
camaroracer214 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Baytown, TX Posts: 332	holding out for better quality picture

12/04/2009, 04:06 PM	#24
tedpolzin Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Tan Valley, AZ Posts: 90	More pics please, yes that is a neat looking clam.

12/04/2009, 04:58 PM	#25
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	Looks like two clams placed end-to-end. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank