new clam (1st timer)

[Mr. S]

Hey just got a clam on trade. Should I put it directly on the bottom of the sand (large grain) based tank or put it on a piece of pvc or place it up on the rocks closer to the 400mh's? Going into my school tank. Any cool info or tips would be greatly appreciated. I think it is a derasa. It has scalloped edges The coloring is brown, kind of camo colored. Not the bright fluorescent stuff. When I looked for pics on the web most are from top view so could not tell accurately what it is. Also, how long do I acclimate it to the tank. Do I do it like I would a fish?

[goodfortune]

Congartulations on your first Clam!

The Dersa, from what I have heard, is probably one of the more forgiving clams when it comes to lighting; since you've got 400W MHs, the clam should be just fine on the sandbed.

I do the drip aclimation method for all livestock I buy. I'll float the bag for at least 15-20 min, and then I open the package and pour off enough water to keep my new critter just barely submerged. Using a piece of airline tubing and an air valve to control the drip rate, I slowly drip the tank water into the shipping container. I usually set the air valve for a fast trickle, but not a continuous stream.

Be caureful during acclimation, as Clams can be very sensitve to changes in salinity and water chemistry.

Hope I've Helped!

- Michael

[Mr. S]

Hey thanks for the info. It was pretty cool. I rescued it from a tank that had only one pc lite in it. I knew something was going on because even while I was floating it under the halides it was completely extended. My students love it. What an awesome addition to my 125 school tank.

[monsaas]

i was told that you should never place your clam in a sandbed because it can stand a chance of getting attacted by bristle worms. Is this correct?

[goodfortune]

I haven't heard about bristleworms, but pyramid snails are of particular concern with clams. The snails are parasites and can be found on or near clams including the sandbed. That doen't mean that the sandbed isn't a good place to keep a clam, you just have to be vigilant about its health.

You can manually remove the snails, or introduce a wrasse to eat them. The Juvenile Yellow Coris Wrasse is one of the best for pyramid snail control from what I hear.

- Michael

[concept3]

you can place a flat piece of live rock under the clam, and then lightly embed the clam in the sand bed, this should deter some of the snails or bristle worms to the "foot" of the clam, since it wouldn't be so exposed

[biomekanic]

The bristleworm attack is something of an urban myth. Clams that get ill and die will be eaten by the worms. a healthy clam won't be touched by them. consider the worms the vultures of your tank - they'll wait for something to die before eating it.
That said... the snails are a danger