Is Phyto necessary?

[Reefdude5]

Just wondering, is phyto necessary for clams, particuarily small, young clams? And if so, what size qualifies them for phyto needs? What's the best way of administering phyto if it is in fact necessary?

[aliendomain]

Reefdude5,
Some will say that phyto is not necessary for young clams (less than 2.5"). IMO you should feed a live phyto supplement at least three times a week for any clam smaller than 2.5". My preferred method is to feed the young clams in a bowl, but if they are on a rock that is too large for a bowl I feed the tank. Again this is MO.

[Casey]

I agree with Alien

[Witfull]

personally, i dont like to feed the tank, had phyto seed the tank once, and never again will i do that. a good thing to get is a 2.5g tank and feed in that. but i must stress that young clams should noe be attempted for the new clam keeper.

[Barry N.]

Here is something that you may want to read.

http://www.clamsdirect.com/phpbb2/vi...hlight=feeding

[yardboy]

I've got a related question. I've had a Crocea maxima for over a year, always good extension, moderate growth. He was positioned on the bottom of a 70 gallon tank, directly under a 250 Ushio 10000K lamp.
I moved him into a new tank, 150 gallons, somewhat deeper than the 70, so thought it better to put him up higher. Initially he was on the bottom, wth his mantle extended well, but moved him up higher after a few days, within 4 inches of the surface under 250W DE Ushio 10000K. Two hours in this position and one side of his mantle doesn't expand out like it was. Moved him back down lower but he's still only got about half of his mantle extending out fully. Did I burn him? Can he recover from this, and since only half of his mantle is out, do I ned to feed him to make up for the lack of energy while he "heals"?
In case there is question about new tank, only live rock, curing for 4 months was in the tank prior. I moved entire contents of 70 into the 150. Everything else I placed there is doing good, except the clam.
Is it possible that a piece of sand could be nside his shell irritating him? I saw a smaller than pea size piece of rock fall on his mantle and I freaked, wondering how to get it off, and he just puffed up and blew that rock halfway across the tank! Wondered if something I didnt see got lodged before or after?
Thanks for any info guys. Long post, but I really like my clam, and want him. to do well.

[MagicMan]

Man, I hear you about getting things stuck in the clam. I was watching my deresa the other day and a darned hermit crab started crawling around on his mantle. So I'm watching carefully, getting a bit nervous, and decide to send my paws into the water and move the hermit crab.

Well, you know what happened next. The hermit crab felt my huge finger, fell right into the clam, and the clam clammed up! So i am FREAKING out! In part because I know to watch the hermit crabs so they don't go after the clam for food. I start trying to open up the clam, no dice (gently of course). I flip him over and try to open him up, and he does a little bit but not enough. So then I set him down and REALLY freak out.

Clam opens up, a very frightened hermit crab pokes his shell up, I snatch him this time and move the scoundrel all the way across the tank. Whew. This clam is really big, and absolutely beautiful. If I lost him I would lose most of the color in the tank, he's the best.

[NeilsReef]

Hello MagicMan, that would be scary to see that, I am glad everything worked out well. Neil

[ruhspolostar]

this is old guys, austin hasn't been here in forever, wish he would drop in though

....clams puhh, my squammie just died but when he was alive I fed pohyto every other day

-i dont know if opeening a clam manually is afe?, I'll have to ask casey