How long

steamboatwv · 09-26-2007, 07:30 PM

Ok, I just purchased my first clam "crocea" , I was going to get one a while back but after reading the FAQ's on them I decided to wait till my one year mark with my tank, glad I did, I know that they are to be placed in the rockwork where they can get plenty of light "done" I was just wondering how long does it take for them to attach themselves to the rockwork?

I also followed the advice on the faq page as to get one at least 3 inches in size, I got one that is roughly 4 inches and looks really good.

here is a pic.

Casey · 09-26-2007, 07:35 PM

It varies from clam to clam and depending on how they like the spot you set them in,I have had them attach in 2 weeks and other 2 months,glad you waited till the tank matured more congrats.

steamboatwv · 09-26-2007, 07:50 PM

another question, sry not trying to be a bug, but I've seen other posts about there clam "gaping" because of its placement and other various things, what exactly does that mean? I know i'm not so smart lol.. but I just wanna know what to watch for incase i do need to move it around a bit to make it happy..

Casey · 09-26-2007, 07:54 PM

gaping is a term that is over used for clams, a lot of people will see a clam with its incurrent syphon held open and say that the clam is gaping. true gaping is a loss of control of the abductor muscle. the abductor muscle is what the clam uses to close it shell, when a clam looses control of it the shell is wide open the incurrent syphon is open very wide to the point that it looks like it will rip open and the mantle is retracted into the shell.

steamboatwv · 09-26-2007, 08:09 PM

ah ok, so in reality it has nothing to do with it being happy, correct?

Casey · 09-26-2007, 08:12 PM

It can be for many reasons maybe a bristle worm is irritating it ,I have seen that do it also,when I have one gap if hes not attached I move him around and inspect him for any snails or anything bothering him just to play it safe.

steamboatwv · 09-26-2007, 08:15 PM

ah ok, ty for the info, I just want him to grow as well as everything else in my tank is. I am assuming he should be fine since my coraline and sps's grow fairly fast.

Casey · 09-26-2007, 08:17 PM

yep just keep the calcium level up and plenty of light and he should be fine.you can always place a small shell under him so he will attach to that and then you can move him around if you like to.

steamboatwv · 09-26-2007, 08:21 PM

i read that in the faq's so i placed a small rock in the space under him to attach too incase he needed to be moved

Casey · 09-26-2007, 08:21 PM

cool good job

Loverotties · 09-27-2007, 07:16 AM

Good luck with him!

dobejazz · 09-27-2007, 07:52 AM

Congrats Beautiful clam

crvz · 09-27-2007, 08:49 AM

Pretty clam, good luck with it! I have a crocea as well, and it should definitely be placed high in the tank. Even with my overdriven T5 bulbs, it did not take well to being at the bottom of my setup, but it recovered nicely once I wisened up and put it in the rocks.

steamboatwv · 09-27-2007, 10:59 AM

ty everyone, and with the lighting I have I believe he will be ok, I use 4x65watt pc -2 10k and 2 act. + 2 x 175watt MH . my sps's are growing at around 1/4 inch a month.

jenajet · 09-28-2007, 12:05 AM

congrats! I want more clams too!