Flame Scallops...

[silly34]

LFS has a few flame scallops for cheap. Been told that they usually live for about 6 months. I read an article in saltwater mag that was along the same lines. Anyone have any different accounts of this?? I love the look and color.

B.

 

[Mikef1]

I have always heard the same case and they have to be fed regulary

 

[Anonymous]

in a more mature reef tank they would live alot longer...the problem and mistakes made with flame scallops and their lack of survival is their food needs arent met..they are heavy filter feeders...they only last 6months is becuz they starve to death...definitely not for the beginner...unless you plan on heavily feeding your tank with liquid suspension type foods, you might want to avoid this guy..they're very pretty but dont live long....

 

[psiico]

I'd like to experiment with a species tank for them. Have a large diverse live food culture project, rotifiers and phytoplankton and use a small tank, 25gals or so, high flow and heavy skimming and 2 or 3 scallops. Possibly a large refugium/algae scrubber to reduce nitrates. Feed the tank heavily 2 to 3 times a day and see what happens.

I'd like to experiment with a lot of things. Too bad I don't have the room or money, lol.

 

[taikonaut]

Flame scallop is considered a rental item. After a few month, it is a good shell for scooping sand around...

 

[ricky1414]

oh crud, mine is on month 8... is he living on borrowed time??

 

[Expos Forever]

Buying flame scallops only encourages pet stores to order more to die in others' tanks. Best left in the ocean IMO.

 

[Johnsteph10]

Ricky414-
Month 8 is actually really really good for a flame scallop...what exactly are you doing? Like clams, scallops base food selection on a very specific size, not just type of item. They also need lots and lots of circulation and don't tolerate nitrates well...

there ends my knowledge. :wink:

John

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with save the expos...unless you have some experience...why try to tempt fate...poor things die usually very quickly

 

[hillbilly]

Buying flame scallops only encourages pet stores to order more to die in others' tanks. Best left in the ocean IMO.

Excellent point. I always have felt that tough to keep critters should be left in the ocean. Why shorten it's lifespan? I tell people on the boards this but it's seems no one listens. Glad to see someone agrees.

 

[hillbilly]

Buying flame scallops only encourages pet stores to order more to die in others' tanks. Best left in the ocean IMO.

Excellent point. I always have felt that tough to keep critters should be left in the ocean. Why shorten it's lifespan? I tell people on the boards this but it's seems no one listens. Glad to see someone agrees.

 

[hillbilly]

Sorry, I screwed up!

 

[jandree22]

exactly how I feel with n00b's that buy anemones just because they have a Nemo fish :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldnt go so far as to leave the flames in the ocean..if thats the case all fish should be left in the ocean...however, it would be wise to own one if you have a decent amount of experience and a very well established tank...MO of course...Flame scallops arent impossible to keep alive, just have poor survival rates with novices...I think they should be a special order deal...Store owners know who has some experience and who doesnt....

 

[Expos Forever]

I wouldnt go so far as to leave the flames in the ocean..if thats the case all fish should be left in the ocean...however, it would be wise to own one if you have a decent amount of experience and a very well established tank...MO of course...Flame scallops arent impossible to keep alive, just have poor survival rates with novices...I think they should be a special order deal...Store owners know who has some experience and who doesnt....

There's a difference between keeping an animal that we can have a reasonable expectation for it to live a somewhat normal lifespan (fish). I'm not saying flame scallop collection is threatening the oceans. There are many more important issues. Flame scallops don't live long in the ocean either. It's just my personal opinion that it's no fun to buy something KNOWING there's a very good chance of it being a frag shell within a year.

 

[Anonymous]

LOL i kinda agree..im not sayin you are wrong either..i didnt originally say that counter opinion to bash yours..you have a valid argument..then again its personal choice to buy something that will die with in a year...however i do think to leave well alone with things that are outta my lack of expertise..best left with the more seasoned hobbyist..thats my point...

 

[mutley29]

Have had my Flame Scallop for about 10 months now, he did a lot of moving about to begin with but has been in his present position for about 6 months,
i feed heavily every other day with a mixture of golden pearls, live phytoplankton, selcon, vitamins and Cyclopeeze.

My corals seem to be doing well on this mixture

Anton

 

[Anonymous]

key word...heavy feeding...remember that....

 

[Expos Forever]

A Biogeek article on flames and feeding:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... toonen.htm

 

[Anonymous]

For what its worth, I've had one in my tank for a little over a year now. I do feed DT's pretty heavy, and target feed it with a baster once or twice
a week.