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Maxima Clam questions

DangerDave

DangerDave

NJRC Member
I, like a few others, bought a maxima clam from OIA during this months meeting. This is my first clam. I already have questions. I placed him in a spot to get good lighting and flow. He can sit perfectly stable in this spot even with the flow moving. Like every new thing I place in there, a few hermits rush over to eat anything they can off it. No issues there, they were only cleaning his shell.

My problem is he's small and they keep knocking him over. I righted him 3 times last night, even moving the offending hermits across the tank. Each time a new hermit would climb across him. Being as small as he is, he topples. I had to right him again this morning before I left for the office.

How long to they usually take to decide to hold on to a spot? I want to make sure he's happy as a clam ;). I also want to stop diving into the tank because it's getting old.

Dave
 
etmanning1

etmanning1

NJRC Member
Zoas Grow Out Winner
I put mine in a little rock crevice, it's right under a light but somewhat protected by flow so he's sitting there perfectly. From what I've read, clams don't require very much flow but do require lots of light.

Are you planning on dosing phyto for the clam? I've read that smaller clams can really struggle without feeding so I will be.

Did you put yours on the sand or rock? I have no idea on the byssal thread attachment but hopefully, it's fairly quick.
 
etmanning1

etmanning1

NJRC Member
Zoas Grow Out Winner
I doubt it's holding itself at this point but it's not moving around. probably just because of where I was able to put it though, there was a natural crevice in the rock that fit it perfectly.
 

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njtiger24 aquariums

njtiger24 aquariums

Officer Emeritus
Article Contributor
I only had one claim and did the same thing put mine on a rock in high flow, high light. he kept kicking himself into the sand over and over. I finally got a rock in the spot he kept kicking to and he was happy there for awhile. I think my issue was I didn't feed him correctly. Good luck with the claim
 
OiA

OiA

Hey guys, clams usually take a few days to cling on to the surfaces. If critters are knock them over try to use couple of rumble rock to support them, then after a few days they should be able to stabilise themself. As far as feeding goes at their stage now they shouldn't need much feeding but if u want to be sure some phyto wouldn't hurt. Good luck guys keep me posted!
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

I believe that when they are small they need phyto more than when they get larger. I have used ESV's freeze dried with good results there are a number of foods out there that have similar composition. They make little hammocks for maxima or others that live mostly on rocks. Brightwell REEF Clam Hammock - 1/pk :: Fragging Equipment :: Champion Lighting & Supply I never actually used one.

You need to get them to grow past about three inches...then they become more likely to live.
 
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