Hi
Actually, most T.derasa I've come across are predominantly blue, with darker markings an/or clear portions to relieve the monotony of the mantle.
It is found on both loose sustrate and penned-in hardbottom, so I'm not sure why people say moving it up the rockwork is bad.
Most failures in husbanding Tridacnids seem to stem from malnutrition (lighting is not enough, and in-tank biodiversity to provide planktonic/detrital nutrition is important), predation (lots of gastropods and crustaceans can have the hots for clam), and inappropriate water chemistry.
I've seen such clams thriving in both bright and less-than-spectacular light --the clam can compensate for less light by consuming more suspended food (if you allow it the option --and no clam can get by on aquarium light alone.).
Your best clue to clam health is comport and growth: If it is proudly expanding, good. If not, then something is ticking it off. Occasional contraction of the mantle can reveal to the sharp-eyed hobbyist the growing edge of the shell, and any evidence of growth.
hth,
horge
Actually, most T.derasa I've come across are predominantly blue, with darker markings an/or clear portions to relieve the monotony of the mantle.
It is found on both loose sustrate and penned-in hardbottom, so I'm not sure why people say moving it up the rockwork is bad.
Most failures in husbanding Tridacnids seem to stem from malnutrition (lighting is not enough, and in-tank biodiversity to provide planktonic/detrital nutrition is important), predation (lots of gastropods and crustaceans can have the hots for clam), and inappropriate water chemistry.
I've seen such clams thriving in both bright and less-than-spectacular light --the clam can compensate for less light by consuming more suspended food (if you allow it the option --and no clam can get by on aquarium light alone.).
Your best clue to clam health is comport and growth: If it is proudly expanding, good. If not, then something is ticking it off. Occasional contraction of the mantle can reveal to the sharp-eyed hobbyist the growing edge of the shell, and any evidence of growth.
hth,
horge