how does one know what type of clam is which?

[afbengochea]

I wouldnt mind trying out a clam in my tank but would like to know how can you id the different types of clams. Also what do they eat? I know that they need good calcium, but is that it?

[wharyat]

My suggestion is to search the web and check out all the different pictures of the different species.

For some reason I find it really easy to tell what species a clam is, even just by seeing its mantle. The shell is a dead give-away.

They eat phytoplankton, but it is not a requirement on clams larger than 3".

They need high alk and calc. Maximas and croceas need to have very intense lighting (MH is ideal but they will live under very high wattage fluorescent arrangments), the other species (deresa, gigas, hippopus, and squamosa) will do well under a decent fluorscent setup. The other requirement is tank space, as all the species, other than crocea, can get over 1' in length.

[Wiskey]

There is a section on ID in my FAQ I just put up, soon I will have the pictures up too and that will clear things up even further.

Whiskey