My clam

[jdmneon]

I just had a question about my Crocea Clam, it seems to me like it might be hyper extended

It has been growing successfully in my tank for a full six months, and has always been extended about the same amount. Is this long enough to know whether or not it is getting enough light. Wouldn't it die rather quickly if it didn't have enough light?

It has never expelled any of its zooxanthellic and looks more deep blue than the day we got it.

Our lighting is four X 65 watts PC which is lower than recommended, but I keep the clam only like 14 inches from the light.

Water Parameters are great and the clam looks fantastic.

 

[kevindub]

Hi. What is meant by hyper extended? It sounds like the clam is doing fine except the hyper extended part.

 

[Unarce]

2-3 years would be a much better indication, but you may have a crocea with the genetics to survive under low light conditions.

A clear sign of over extension would be a V shaped mantle with frilled edges. If you can tank a few pics at different angles, that would help.

 

[Anonymous]

A clam also won't die in just a few days. It can be dieing inside slowly and then it might just show visible signs of death in a few days.

I can't tell what you're describing without pictures, but hyper extension of anything to me sounds like it's trying to get more light and maximizing what it has available.

 

[shavo]

what color are the bulbs? 10 k? 14? 20 k?

i think i read somewhere that the spectrum matters. maybe a clam expert here can shed some light on the subject

no pun intended

 

[cindre2000]

14" is a long way for PC. You would need 250w metal halide to get the "correct" wattage for that depth. Move the clam up closer to the light (5-6").

 

[Len]

I've seen clams do pretty well under PC lighting, but T.crocea is more demanding of light intensity, so moving it up might help.