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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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05-15-2008, 09:08 AM
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#1
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Rogue Water is Trouble!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 2,911
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Derasa Clam Question
Hey all...I got a smallish Derasa clam for my tank a few weeks ago (I know I know - I am delinquent in posting pictures, I will get on it this weekend).
Anyway, my question is, it does not appear to have put its foot down and set itself...I mean it opens up and seems healthy from what I can tell, but it is just kinda sitting in the sand. Should I be worried? Could it have something to do with me not having enough lighting (440W VHO - tank is about 20" deep, I would say the lights are probably 28" from the bottom of the tank which is where the clam is)?
Thanks!
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05-15-2008, 09:16 AM
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#2
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spaceman spiff
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,627
Reviews: 72
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No, derasa's don't clamp down like other clams, at least in my experience. If it looks healthy, I wouldnt worry. Though it's more common in larger derasas to not attach, they tend to rely more on their size to stay in one spot.
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05-15-2008, 09:28 AM
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#3
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Rogue Water is Trouble!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 2,911
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Phew...thanks Chris. I was a little worried there. I keep hearing about how the clams set their foot down and can move and stuff...this guys just kinda sits there. he is kinda small so he does get bumped and moved a bit, but he opens and seems happy.
They belong in the sand, right? Do you think he would benefit from moving up higher in the tank (of course he would be on rock then)?
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05-15-2008, 09:30 AM
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#4
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Stinky Slimey FEESH
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,187
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Yes, they do belong in the sand but I had one over 3 years and it never attached, but it really grew large. If he's eating and open and seems happy, I wouldn't move him.....just my two cents!
HHC
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You can't kill a fish born to hang.....
135-gal Oceanic reef, MH, PC, Lunar
12-gal Nanocube
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05-15-2008, 09:36 AM
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#5
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spaceman spiff
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,627
Reviews: 72
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I've got mine on a bare-bottom, over 2 years now, but they are naturally found in sand. They don't need a lot of light like other clams, I think he'll be fine on the sandbed.
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05-15-2008, 09:38 AM
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#6
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Rogue Water is Trouble!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 2,911
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Thanks HHC. You said if he is eating, how would I know...should I be feeding it?? I haven't been?!?
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05-15-2008, 09:50 AM
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#7
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photomod
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Montana
Posts: 5,894
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No feeding necessary. 
Looking forward to pics.  |
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05-15-2008, 10:11 AM
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#8
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spaceman spiff
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,627
Reviews: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frankandmaura
Thanks HHC. You said if he is eating, how would I know...should I be feeding it?? I haven't been?!?
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Nope, you're doing fine. Some folks have the strong opinion that phyto is "required" for all clams under 2" at the least, but I do believe that's since been overcome by experience. At least I've never done it, and I've had three clams under the 2" barrier for over a year.
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05-15-2008, 10:28 AM
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#9
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Just some guy, you know?
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 18,936
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This thread has pretty well been answered
Looking forward to pics!
Whiskey
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Vagabond
Computers are the worlds most plentiful source of unique, and unimaginable problems.
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05-15-2008, 10:30 AM
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#10
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Rogue Water is Trouble!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 2,911
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I think the clam probbaly eats well if it is filtering my water...my trigger is a very messy eater and tears apart the silversides I put in there thus allowing lots of tasty bits to flow through the tank feeding all of my other critters. Also, I think aiding some HA growth...
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05-15-2008, 10:32 AM
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#11
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photomod
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Montana
Posts: 5,894
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What type of trigger do you have housed with it?
Triggers (except for a few species) will eat clams.
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05-15-2008, 10:49 AM
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#12
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Rogue Water is Trouble!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 2,911
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Blue Jaw...she is a good citizen...messy as heck, but doesn't bother anyone...
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05-15-2008, 10:53 AM
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#13
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spaceman spiff
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,627
Reviews: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frankandmaura
Blue Jaw...she is a good citizen...messy as heck, but doesn't bother anyone...
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If it has a blue jaw, then it's a male.
But you're right, they'll not bother the clam.
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05-15-2008, 11:00 AM
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#14
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Rogue Water is Trouble!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 2,911
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It has a Blue Jaw, but I am pretty sure it is a female. From what I understand the males have yellow on the dorsal fin and tail...see the pic...
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05-15-2008, 11:44 AM
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#15
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,092
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If the clam is smaller then 3" then you need to hand feed it.
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