Purchasing new clam what to look for

[Mike Murphy]

I already have a clam but thinking of buying a second for my 55. I found one at a shop near me but even though it is sizeable and the mantle is fully displayed the surface of the mantle has areas of it that appear caloused or brownish areas that just do not seem right compared to my other clam although the coloration otherwise looks fine.. It is a Crocea at about 4-5 inches. The sales person told me that that was normal?

[Loverotties]

Hard to say with out seeing it.

[jonnywater]

There is one sure way to tell. See if anyone else buys it within the next week or so, or the coloring goes away. Clams usually look like an "ink blot" usually the color is symmetrical the whole way around. Color variations around the mantle (that do not follow the pattern) could be anything from pyramid snails, to it bleaching. Furthermore, I hope you have good experience with keeping Crocea's. I have 6 clams and can tell you that croceas are by far the hardest to keep.

[Mike Murphy]

I'm on my 4th week with mine and the hardest thing I have had to do is balance the alkalinity and calcium but I think it is about right. The lighting I have is not what I really need for this clam but it is a 48" JBJ power compact with 2 daylights and 2 actinics all rated at about 240w over a 55.

Originally it was on the sand attached to a shell and after a couple of weeks I moved it to an area high on the live rock about 3 inches from the surface. After a week I discovered it was not opening as much as it had down on the bottom so I placed it back in the original spot where it seems to be happier and opens up more. The coloration is maintaining and I have noticed no bleaching. I have been supplementing with Kent microvert and zooplex. I open the blinds in my office which lets a good bit of indirect light into the room and the clam really responds well to that also.

I do realize that 4 weeks is relatively short duration and more experience is due but I am watching parameters closely.