new clam - 2 questions

[BerlinMethod.com]

Hi

2 days ago, I got a 3" maxima from Steve Tyree. I am keeping it under 2x250w 10,000K's.

2 questions:

1. If I want to face the clam perpendicular to the front glass (versus parallel), do I want the inlet or the outlet closest to the front glass? In Knop's Giant Clams book, he has photos of both. Which is best for the clam given there will be a slight incline front to back to angle him towards the audience. I am placing the clam on sand.

2. There are 2 very tiny bleached areas on the mantle. They are not on the outer areas of mantle and are not visible when the clam is partially closed. I take it I should just keep an eye on these, correct?

Thanks,
Kris www.berlinmethod.com

 

[davelin315]

I don't think that clams will do well on their side. I saw a bunch in the Tahitian islands while snorkeling, and none of them were on their sides. They also tend to grown unevenly when not at a good angle, basically, pointing towards the sun or your lights. I wouldn't mess around with their orientation, since if you kill it, that's a lot of money, and a beautiful animal to boot. As far as bleaching, I don't think I've ever seen a clam's mantle bleach. Not even when I've had mortalities has the mantle lost a significant amount of color to be considered bleaching, just a fading of the color is the most I've seen on a dead clam, but not even very much. I think maybe what you're seeing as bleaching is part of the color of the clam or maybe an injury. Could be wrong, though.

By the way, a lot of people place their clams on the sand. In nature, clams are not growing on the sand. They are growing in rocks, not on them, but in them. Pretty much the only part of a clam you see in the wild is the mantle, because the rest is encased in rock. I don't think they appreciate being in the sand, as they cannot attach themselves to rock as they normally do.

[ September 02, 2001: Message edited by: davelin315 ]

 

[EmilyB]

I never interpreted on its side? but whatever? No if that is the case a clam shouldn't be on its side, I agree. I think the "intake" should be lower that the "output"....in non-scientific terms, and from what I have read and seen clams happy with. I haven't read Knop's book yet, it is on my Christmas wish list !!

 

[2poor2reef]

Yeah, he didn't say "on its side", he said perpendicular to the front glass. You want the bysal gland on the substrate so as Emily said the intake syphon should be lower than the output syphon. Also, the clam should be placed parralel to the water current. So water should flow over the intake syphon first and then past the output syphon. That's why it's a little harder to place them perpendicular to the class if they are close to the glass. But it can be done by adjusting your water movement flow within the tank. My opinion.

 

[BerlinMethod.com]

I did not mean on its side but rather the long length of the clam running perpendicular to the front glass.

Got it - gland on the sand means inlet closer to front glass.

Anything about the bleaching? Knop has about 5 different types of bleaching he describes. This sounds and looks like local bleaching.

Regards,
Kris

 

[Anonymous]

While we are talkng clam I thought I might piggy back a question on this post.

I have 5 clams all are the non photosynthesis type. 2 are about 3". I also have a maroon brittlestar and a orange brittlestar. Neither star has ever made a move on my clams. I was not considering a photosynthesis calm because of my stars but if they have never made a move towards my other calms maybe they never will?