clam question

[eddi]

Hi all,

I have 5 Crocea clams in various sizes. They are all on the sandbed and all are growing well. However, I can't seem to keep them from laying on their side. I have tried different locations at different angles but all of them sooner or later flip over. I even tried placing one against a rock, but it still flipped on the other side.They are fully opened and do not show any signs of distress at all, but it is driving me crazy.

I have had clams for years and while I have had clams do this before, I have always been able to find a spot or placement that satisfied them. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can stop them from laying on their side?


Thanks,

Eddi

 

[Anonymous]

I was thinking that Crocea like to be among the rocks. I just checked and the FAQ I read talks about how they like to burrow into coral heads. Could be that this instinct is why you are finding them on their sides.

 

[Len]

I've experienced this too when I tried Croceas on the sandbed. I always place them on the rocks now. BB is right: in the wild they rest on hard substrate, boring into them over time. I've seen Maximas in the wild sitting on sand, but I have never seen a Crocea that wasn't bored into rock/coral.

 

[Vili_Shark]

When I dive in the Red Sea the Maximas are always burrowed in the rocks especially when young.

I had the same problem with my Crocea then I put it on a small curved rock, the clam liked it, and attched to it and is there ever since.

 

[Bleeding Blue]

Supposedly, it is possible to trick some of the clams into thinking that they are on rock. I have seen maxima's cement themselves to pieces of broken mussel shells. Then the mussel shells can be buried in the sand bed. I don't know if it will work for Croceas, but it might be worth a try.


Mike

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

it is possible to trick some of the clams into thinking that they are on rock.

hi.
It is not tricking, but you just cover the rock with some sand. The one who were tricked is you, who think you see the clam is on sand. :wink:

For both T. max. and T. crocea, if you cover the rock/shell with sand, you can trick the observers to belief that the clams are on sand.

 

[eddi]

Thank you to everyone that responded. I did know Croceas like to bore in rocks, but I did not realize their preference was that strong.


Eddi

 

[shalegac]

Yeah I would definatley find a decent size piece of rock, rubble, or shell and let the clam burry into it and then cover with sand.