ID this clam

[Dentoid]

I thought this was a Tear Drop maxima when I bought it, but I'm not so sure now. The scutes don't seem like that of a maxima nor does the mantle extend like a maxima. Squamosa? Anyone have a clue? Thanks!

[Sndwave80]

I have one just like that and it was sold to me as a Tear Drop Maxima, doesn't mean it really is but just adding my input.

[jakecaps]

Maxima for sure, and a nice one too!

[Loverotties]

Nice Maxima!Looks like it needs more light.

[wharyat]

Yep, its a maxima. The tear drops have a shorter more elongated shell than non tear drops; they also have less mantle extension.

[Dentoid]

Thanks everyone for the ID and description of what they should look like. I'm convinced now that it is a maxima.

Loverotties, just out of curiosity, why do you think it needs more light.

[BarbMazz]

It's beautiful, Scott... Love those colors and patterns!

[YLChik]

beautiful clam! I vote teardrop maxima also.

[Wiskey]

A little late but I agree,.. Tear drop Maxima.

I might think about doing something with it though,.. the mantle normally extends much further, and especially the spot where it's sucked inside the shell conserns me greatly.

Is this guy in super high light?
Is he being picked on?

How long have you had it?

Whiskey

[YLChik]

Whiskey, I don't see where it's pinched, it just doesn't look like it's all the way open to me... can you teach me and add an arrow to the pic?

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by YLChik

Whiskey, I don't see where it's pinched, it just doesn't look like it's all the way open to me... can you teach me and add an arrow to the pic?

I didn't say "Pinched" but I might describe it as that.

I can't add an arrow from my work computer but if you look at the far right side of the pic, the half of the shell in the back you see that the mantle is sucked down inside the shell and not even coming up over the top.

In my experiance this is bad news and if I see a clam like this I normally do something about it right away.

However if you took the pic right after it was disturbed you might expect to see it this way.

Whiskey

[wharyat]

Expansion in that pic is a little less than normal; but reasonable if it's only been in the tank for a short time. Agreed with wiskey on the retracted part, make sure nobody is bothering it.

Here is a pic of one of mine. Notice how the mantle is not quite as large/expanded as a "normal" maxima.

[Dentoid]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

I didn't say "Pinched" but I might describe it as that.

I can't add an arrow from my work computer but if you look at the far right side of the pic, the half of the shell in the back you see that the mantle is sucked down inside the shell and not even coming up over the top.

In my experiance this is bad news and if I see a clam like this I normally do something about it right away.

However if you took the pic right after it was disturbed you might expect to see it this way.

Whiskey

That's why I asked because it doesn't expand like my other maximas.

I've had it about 3 weeks. It is on the bottom and was next to my flower anemone. When the anemone was fully expanded it touched the clam where you see it retracted, so I'm sure it got a few nematocysts to the mantle. I haven't seen any picking.

I moved it about a week ago to get it away from the anemone.

I have it under 100% LED, the Solaris I4. I have two other maximas that have been in the same position and lighting for 10 months, They are fully expanded and doing well.

What should I do?

Thanks Vince. That's what I should strive for.

[Dentoid]

Oh, another thing. I have it on a flat rock, but it keeps maneuvering itself off the rock and onto the substrate.

[Fat Tony]

hmm.. it's moving off the rock and onto the substrate... that's strange, Maximas are a rock loving clam...