My new clams!

sundance1 · #1 01/24/2006, 12:20 PM

JUST unpacked these babbies! 1 each,gold maxima,squamossa and a derasa! Hope they grow well,they are awful small![IMG] http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...wclams_002.jpg [/IMG]

Ti · #2 01/24/2006, 02:30 PM

nice clams!

sundance1 · #3 01/24/2006, 02:38 PM

Thanks,I will post more pics tomarrow,after they calm down a little.

Reefcherie · #4 01/24/2006, 03:19 PM

They do look small, though I'm not sure about the perspective of the picture. If they are under 3", have you read about methods of feeding them and are you ready to do so?

Don Berry · #5 01/24/2006, 05:40 PM

Under the right conditions they will grow faster than you think. My Deresa has doubled in size in a matter of months. I don't have a Squamosa, but I know they are fast growers as well. My Tear Drop Maxima grows faster than my Blue Maxima as well.

sundance1 · #6 01/25/2006, 12:17 AM

Yeah,I will put them in a bowl to feed a couple times a week.The squammy is about 2.5" and is the largest one.Any other suggestions?

Reefcherie · #7 01/25/2006, 07:43 AM

Please tell us about your lighting, tank and placement of the clams w/ regard to that lighting.

In order to facilitate removing it to place in a bowl, you will need to make sure the maxima doesn't attach to your rockwork or attaches to something small enough to easily move. The squamosa and derasa do not tend to attach IME.

When you feed, be sure to keep the water in the bowl warm enough. I set mine close to a light so that the water stayed warm. I don't think a cold clam feeds well, if at all.

sundance1 · #8 01/25/2006, 08:43 AM

I have a 125reef with 3x250 DE 14k MH and 4x96 watt PC's.The clams are sitting on a small half shell of a deceased clam about 1/2 the way up my rockwork.

Reefcherie · #9 01/25/2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sundance1
I have a 125reef with 3x250 DE 14k MH and 4x96 watt PC's.The clams are sitting on a small half shell of a deceased clam about 1/2 the way up my rockwork.

Nice setup! That sounds good for the maxima and squamosa. If you find the derasa is shifting around, you might try placing it on the sand. The other two will put out byssal filaments for attachment if they are happy (the squamosa tends to use weak ones compared to the maxima), but I haven't heard of derasa's doing that. Most folks I know place derasa clams on the sand bed. That is where mine has always been and since they grow very quickly (comparatively speaking), that seems to work out well.

sundance1 · #10 01/25/2006, 10:35 AM

The clams have settled in nicely except the maxima,he keeps jumping around.How often should I feed these guys?

Reefcherie · #11 01/25/2006, 11:52 AM

IME clams have their own idea about what position makes them "happy" - often not matching their owner's idea about what is most aesthetically pleasing

I'd go with 3 times a week if they were mine until they are a little bigger. They don't have large enough mantles yet to meet their food requirements through photosynthesis. Once they hit about 3" feeding really isn't necessary w/ good lighting like yours.

TommiS · #12 01/25/2006, 03:45 PM

Hey one of your new clam looks like copy of my clam

sundance1 · #13 01/26/2006, 11:38 AM

Beautiful clam!

When I feed my small clams,how long should I let them in the bowl?

Julio · #14 01/26/2006, 02:20 PM

hey sundace, that squamie is very rare, congrats.

sundance1 · #15 01/26/2006, 02:25 PM

What do you mean rare?he was only $32.00.I haven't seen any local so I ordered from e-Bay.Maybe I got lucky huh?

sundance1 · #16 01/27/2006, 09:16 AM

How often should I feed them?Every day?every other day? 3 times a week?I am using Reefchili to feed them with.

Julio · #17 01/27/2006, 10:07 AM

Is a blue squamie right? that is what it looks like from the pics. Blue squamies are really rae in this world.

Reefcherie · #18 01/27/2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sundance1
How often should I feed them?Every day?every other day? 3 times a week?I am using Reefchili to feed them with.

I'm not familiar w/ "Reefchili".....is that a live phytoplankton product?

I fed my babies 3x a week, then cut back to 2x/wk when they hit ~2.5"

sundance1 · #19 01/27/2006, 10:35 AM

This is a freeze dried product:
Bio-engineered Zooplankton

This type of zooplankton is well known for extremely high levels of important fatty acids (Omega 3). It can have as much as 40 times the Highly
Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFA's) of Artemia nauplii (baby brine shrimp).
Tests have also shown this zooplankton to have uniquely high levels of
beneficial antioxidants and Carotenoid pigments (astaxanthene} .
(400 to 500 microns)

Spray-dried Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton is considered by most aquarists to be the best all around feed for aquatic filter feeders. Spray-dried phytoplankton has the benefit of
being preserved at the height of its nutritional value so you always know you
are feeding your tank the very best..
(2-900 microns depending on how well it is mixed )

Artemia nauplii replacement diet

For years it has successfully replaced live Artemia nauplii all over the world. The feed contains small pockets of air that keep it suspended in the water
column and help it mimic live Artemia nauplii. Because of its size and
nutritional value it is simply prefect for supplemental coral feeding.
Contains Fish protein, whey, yeast and yeast extracts, marine fish oil, phospholipids,
astaxanthin, vitamin and mineral premixes, anti-oxidants
(1-50 mcirons and 50-100 microns)

Freeze dried Rotifers

Rotifers are a wonderful zooplanktonic treat for your corals. These rotifers are naturally enriched by feeding on micoalgaes like phytoplankton and
contain up to an incredible 60% protein. These are also freeze dried at the
peak of their nutritional value. The freeze dried rotifers completely remove the
tedious task of maintaining the cultures.
(100-200 microns)

Freeze dried Copepods

Because of the high HUFA and fatty acid content, copepods are one of the best natural foods available for invertebrates. Aquaculture companies all
over the world use them in vast quantityâ€™s. Freeze dried at the peak of their
nutritional cycle they are able to maintain up to 57% protein.
(100-400 microns)

Dried Daphnia

Also known as the water flea, daphnia is an excellent coral food. The crustacean naturally comes packed with incredibly healthy blue-green algae
. Blue green algae are an incredible source of highly unsaturated fatty acids
(HUFAâ€™s) like Arachidonic Acid, Alpha-Linolenic Acid and Linoeic Acid.
(5 -750 microns)

Spirulina Powder

The benefits of blue green algae are incredible. This type of algae is packed full of vitamins , minerals, carotenoid pigments and amino acids, making it
very nutritious for all the organisms in your tank
{50-100 microns).

Reefcherie · #20 01/29/2006, 09:01 AM

Thanks for the explanation. I hadn't run into this product yet.

sundance1 · #21 01/29/2006, 09:14 AM

I have been using it for awhile for my corals,it really made a difference,especially in my softies and my lps.

Chaotic Reefer4u · #22 01/31/2006, 01:40 AM

nice

sundance1 · #23 01/31/2006, 11:01 AM

I have decided to raise these on nothing but the reefchili and my lighting.I am going to take pictured every Tuesday and post them here.

gil716 · #24 01/31/2006, 06:21 PM

Nice! Something to look forward to on Tuesdays now.

JR719 · #25 02/01/2006, 02:45 AM

Nice clams. I am also not familiar with the reefchili but sounds good. Well, no, it sounds nasty but good for the tank. I am curious about it so keep posting on the progress with the stuff.

JR