How long will it take for a clam to attach?

[brandon4291]

Just found one of the smallest Tridacna clams Ive ever seen, electric blue derasa and a great price. Its one inch long. Was wondering how long you guys think it will take to attach if I put it in a crevice...there are no fish to pick at it or move it so hopefully it would be quick.

 

[Anonymous]

Hhhmm..well, for some reason clams can be as temperamental as anemones in that regard. (I had a T. derasa and I LOVED that clam.) Also, some clams want to be in crevices whereas others prefer to be on the sand/substrate. Minh would be the better choice for information, but, IIRC, if the clam is happy where you've put it, then it should only be a day or two before it sets its byssal threads. If not, you'll keep finding it's flipped itself.

 

[Anonymous]

some times they dont attach.I have mine in the sand.Seems to love it.It moves ic circles.Kind o f cool.

 

[Anonymous]

So...instead of crop circles...you get clam circles?? :lol: Ok, cool! (Kinda like a dog or a horse circling before they lie down.)

 

[JeremyR]

Small derasa clams sometimes attatch, but the larger versions are bottom dwellers, poor attatchers.

 

[brandon4291]

Thanks all,

Yes I kept seeing it flipped, and I thought a particularly nasty eunicid worm I have in the bowl was picking at him. I hate this guy, he has stolen an entire ricordea frag and taken it back to his recesses for whatever sick enjoyment he gets from this thievery--if he didnt leave my clam alone I was going to cuss even harder but still do nothing about it because I wouldnt tear down my rockwork just to fish him out...

So, in your experience even if they flip over to gain the right footing, is it safe to say they will adjust themselves to the best lighting/current positions for that particular spot in the tank? I really dont mind if he shifts, as long as he can be self-preserving in his actions.

Thanks SM and crew,

Brandon

ps the coloring on this guy and his physical responses (motion perception) make T.Derasa my new favorite specimen. He opened within minutes of entry into the reefbowl and has had a few point-injections (above his mantle) of Dt's to help out along the way.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, they will move around, but they can only go so far (gravity) and can't correct themselves as well as anemones, for instance. I put my own T. derasa on the floor of my tank, and he was just happy as a...as a....well..as a CLAM! :lol:

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.
B-man, sorry to tell you that T. derasa is not a good choice for your setup. Althought not as demanding as other giant clams, they grow quickly, and will be too big for your tank. You may want to do this in a narrow-mouth jar, and after several months, people will wonder how you going to take the clam out without breaking the jar... like those ship in a glass bottle.

In addition, the DT is not needed. They are pretty much getting all they need from light alone.

I have a 7 inch T. derasa, and it still attach to a rock.

 

[danmhippo]

like those ship in a glass bottle.

Don't even mention that, One of the Mod will cry over it.......

In addition, the DT is not needed. They are pretty much getting all they need from light alone.

hmmm, I disagree. Maybe true if he has a 3 inch-er, but remember, he has a 1" baby deresa.

I have a 7 inch T. derasa, and it still attach to a rock.

 

[brandon4291]

Good call Robin. I read that squamosa are slow-growers and better suited for nano setups, but this one was so incredibly small and purrrrple! it was top dollar--most I ever paid for a specimen. I figure even on you guys' power setups it would take 5-6months to grow to 6" . My systems run on power compact setups and are not as intense or as good at reaching metabolic overdrive, so hopefully growth may be slightly slower. either way ill remove it before it jeopardizes the intergrity of the glass structure

Im working from the premise that anywhere a euphyllia would thrive, a tridacnid would co-exist. Im still waiting for marked chemical battles (nematocysts/chemical irritations etc) between them--I think slow additions gives the system time to adjust. Also, one would have to see my sandbed live to notice the activity--if healthy water for clams is produced by infaunal activity, Id say the RB is ready for a small-scale tridancid experi...

I feel that any filter feeder would stand to gain from filtering Dt's, although not to any great extent past the vitamins and compounds found in basic algae cells. No one would claim Dt's would lend substantial protein value... I figure it increases the biodiversity of the filtrate and the clam might get a bonus vitamin or two. I would not be past removing the clam if it closes up, but I bet it'll run--->

What, you guys were expecting logistical problems in housing a tridancid along with 17 other coral species in a fishbowl?
:twisted:

Got pics guys, bb in a few