Local BiValves?

[JawfishJunkie]

Hi,

I was talking to a guy who said that some people use local Bi-Valves in their Fuges or tanks to help filter the water.

What are some of the pros/cons to putting local Little Neck Clams, Steamers, Oysters etc. in your tank or Refugium?

If they help and dont hurt then the price is right and its downright humane!

Happy New Year,

JJ

 

[e.muehlbauer]

I've kept mussels (both ribbed and blue) and oysters in my local tank, which is unheated. I have kept mussels alive for several months, oysters a year or so....but I doubt they would survive for long in a heated reef system, at reef salinity. I think you would be better off with mangrove oysters, or the tropical/semitropical clams I sometimes see offered. I have several small mussels in my tank that came in on the rock..they are all alive. I even have an oyster, it think a mangrove oyster, that has been in my tank maybe 10 years. Once I thought that I killed it, when I accidentally broke off the front half. Instead, it regrew...its at least 4" long now.

 

[masterswimmer]

As stated, our heated reef systems are MUCH warmer than locally caught bi-valves can live in.

swimmer