Weird Question...

[44santababy]

I bought a dogface puffer over the weekend so i decided to buy some clams for him at my local seafood store. I bought 12 clams on ice for 5 dollars. Anyways i decided to put one clam in my tank to see if the puffer would show interest. About two hours later the clam is gone and no shell to be found. All of a sudden i notice my sand literally moving and i discovered the clam literally buried itself and was fully alive. Can clams live outside of the water for extended periods of time? Just wondering...

 

[masterswimmer]

When you buy clams at the seafood market they better be alive before you cook them....or you won't have a restful night

Yes, clams can live out of water for quite a long time. When they close up and and are 'tighter than a clams a@@' there is plenty of water inside the shell for their extended survival.

The biggest problem you'll find with Littlenecks is the temperature difference between your tank (tropical warmth) and the waters they are harvested from (cold northern waters).

Russ

 

[edd]

shell fish will live out of water for a while as long as its chilled and open to air.
your not supposed to eat dead shell fish.
im not sure but i think you should chop the clam up before feeding, thats what i do.

 

[Gabe]

When you buy clams at the seafood market they better be alive before you cook them....or you won't have a restful night

Yes, clams can live out of water for quite a long time. When they close up and and are 'tighter than a clams a@@' there is plenty of water inside the shell for their extended survival.

The biggest problem you'll find with Littlenecks is the temperature difference between your tank (tropical warmth) and the waters they are harvested from (cold northern waters).

Russ

+1 , I had clams living in my tank for a few weeks, but eventually the warmth is too much for them and eventually they die.

 

[44santababy]

Thanks guys! I didnt know this. Pretty interesting...

 

[RARECLOWNSNJ]

Try Hikari clams on the half shell. they are specifically made for this. Using local stuff is a little tricky.

 

[tomtoothdoc]

they are cheaper from the market but as rareclown mentioned, they can potentially carry pathogens.
that said, i used to chuck them and then throw them in the freezer to kill off any potential pathogens.

 

[edd]

if i can eat a raw clam, then my fish can eat it also. imo

 

[cmantis]

if i can eat a raw clam, then my fish can eat it also. imo

But your from NJ (nuff said)!

 

[Spsnut]

if i can eat a raw clam, then my fish can eat it also. imo

Exactly!