Clam Question

[Cliff]

I would really like to add a clam to our 120 reef tank. I’ve been doing a little reading up on them and I can’t make up my mind. I’m having trouble deciding between a Derasa Clam and a Squamosa Clam. Our SW LFS stocks both they are both about the same color except the derasa is a little darker than the squamosa.

I would like to pick the one that would be the easiest to care for. I’ve been having trouble finding credible information to help me deside that.

I was wondering if anyone had any first hand experience with either type of clam they could offer.

[labnjab]

We've had our dersa going on a year and its doing great. Once it found a spot it liked it hasn't moved an inch. It grows like a weed and is always open. Just keep in mind they get huge quick. We bought ours at 3-4 inches and its at least double that now and will probably grow to 20+ inches in its lifetime.

They can be easy to care for in an established tank. Make sure you keep calcium and alk up, they consume a lot of it since the grow so quick. You also need decent light, they are happiest in the sand and need enough light for this.

Make sure you get one that is at least 3 inches. Smaller ones have a high mortality rate. Also, never target feed it, it gets more then enough nutrients from the light and water column, and target feeding can also lead to its death by potentially clogging its gills. This is true for all clams, not just the dersa.

We also have a croeca, which are much more colorful then the dersa, but max out at under 10 inches.They require more light and like to attach to a rock or something similar. We hope to get a maxima one day too.

[Cliff]

Thanks Labnjab

I never did realize target feeding can be so dangerous for these guys.

[sheamurai]

No personal experience with these myself, but we have a local fish club and there was a clam discussion once and the general thought was that squamosa's were the best starter clam...

Can't wait to see what you get!

[Cliff]

That`s good to know sheamuria

Thanks

I want my first clam to be one that is easy to care for. It`s starting to sound like either one will be OK.

I never though picking out a clam could be this difficult