FW Clams, has anyone had experience?

[AbbeyRanda]

Hi all,

I got some FW clams from Fosters and Smith a week or two ago, under the impression that they were "easy" because that's what was listed in the description.

On another thread here in the AC someone said I needed to "watch out" for my clams, so I did a little research and found some info on making a puree that they can feed on and feeding them every couple of weeks, when the bio filter can "handle it". I dug them out from under the gravel and fed them a couple of days ago. It was super cool to see them open just a little and stick their siphon-y thingies out!

I do have a question though. I have small clumps of HC planted in the same area, which I hope will eventually form a carpet. Will that be a problem for my clams? Will they be able to get their food through the plant and gravel? or will I need to keep areas clear so I can continue to dig them up to feed?

Thanks in advance!

[Scrup]

You shouldn't need to dig them out to feed them. I actually just add some phytoplankton a few times a week to the tank and they are fine.

If the roots get too thick on top of the clam it might have trouble moving around. They will sometimes stay in the same position for weeks on end, as long as the food keeps comin.

when they bury themselves they will leave the "mouth end" if you will, sticking out of the gravel so they can still eat.

[Dave66]

Clams feed constantly, needing microscopic life, like Scrup's phytoplankton. Because of the phytoplankton, other life, such as copepod nauplii, bloom, giving the clams a continual food source.

I drip marine phytoplankton for the benefit of the Tridacna species clams in my reef tanks with an unexpected but welcome surge in the zooplankton population, resulting in much new life in my tanks, primarily sponges and tunicates.

Dave

[AbbeyRanda]

So if the roots get too thick, should I be concerned for the well being of my clams?

Also, I have read on other threads in this forum that clams shouldn't be burying themselves all the way, that it's some indication that they're sick? one of mine was hinge-side down in the gravel, opening up and filtering for a few days and today has buried himself (arbitrarily assigning gender) completely. Is it stressful to the clams to dig them up every so often? I kind of like watching them bury themselves...

Thanks for your input, I'll head to my LFS to get some plankton.

[sheamurai]

I only pull them out of the substrate once per week when I vacuum.

[Scrup]

I;ve never had mine bury themselves 100%. that is odd. Usualy they just dig in so the very tip is sticking out, barely enough to even see.

I don't think digging them up is stressful enough to be concerned about.

[Fishguy2727]

The ones at the shop did well in the 300 gallon system, lots of food for them.

[Sursion]

Mine never buried :(

[AbbeyRanda]

Interesting... well, I got some Kent PhytoPlex today. It says it's for SW/marine clams, corals, etc., but I was told it would work for FW clams as well.

I'll dig them up once a week when I vacuum for a while until I'm sure they are thriving.

Thanks all for your help!