New Maxima clam

[Steveg229]

I am picking up up a 2-3" maxima clam today. :) I know it is recommended to go with a bigger clam, but maxima clams sure aint cheap, lol. Any recommendations/pointers/tips on placement, care, feeding (phyto), etc? Anything is appreciated.


90 gallon mixed reef

 

[Marinne13]

I haven't kept a clam but I want pics!!! (when it comes in of course)

 

[mariobrothersleeve]

You do not need to feed them. You need strong light and a shit ton of cal. I would recommend using a pvc pipe that is a little bigger than the clam and stick the pipe into the sand bed with the clam in the middle until it gets bigger. Observe the growth on the flghts, new growth indicates proper calcification and growth.

 

[Steveg229]

A few quick pics of the new clam. Seems to have been pretty happy after about 5 minutes. I put a frag plug in the sand for it to attach to. Lets hope for the best!

 

[jzaso]

I am picking up up a 2-3" maxima clam today. :) I know it is recommended to go with a bigger clam, but maxima clams sure aint cheap, lol. Any recommendations/pointers/tips on placement, care, feeding (phyto), etc? Anything is appreciated.


90 gallon mixed reef

Need to be in the rocks-it is a rock boring clam in nature it would be found
on hard substrate-buried in a coral head much like a crocea will bysally attach
if happy-high light level-heavy filter feeder when small not enough mantle tissue host
enough symbotic zooanthela algae for total sustainence some phyto feeding recommended
Sorry about the spelling-My oldest clam (crocea) is 7yrs old-my biggest is a maxima that is
9"across the valve(shell)Good luck maximas are pretty hardy

 

[mariobrothersleeve]

Honestly it's up to you where you want it and lighting. They will get big and heavy. These are all 6 in and have been on the substrate for a year.

 

[jzaso]

A few quick pics of the new clam. Seems to have been pretty happy after about 5 minutes. I put a frag plug in the sand for it to attach to. Lets hope for the best!View attachment 22646 View attachment 22647

Def would get it away from that fungia -fungia tend to wander around- a bump into the clam
could be fatal for the maxima

 

[jzaso]

Honestly it's up to you where you want it and lighting. They will get big and heavy. These are all 6 in and have been on the substrate for a year.View attachment 22648

True,but I tend to side with nature and evolution and put them where they were designed
to go-

 

[mariobrothersleeve]

True,but I tend to side with nature and evolution and put them where they were designed
to go-

Evolution and fish tank in the same sentence? :-) jk

 

[jzaso]

Evolution and fish tank in the same sentence? :) jk

Oh Man, you said "fishtank"

 

[Steveg229]

I have had that fungia for a few months and it has never moved, so i am not worried about that. I put the clam on the frag plug to give it something to attach to other than substrate.

 

[mariobrothersleeve]

I have had that fungia for a few months and it has never moved, so i am not worried about that. I put the clam on the frag plug to give it something to attach to other than substrate.

I think you have it nailed. Keep an eye on alk and cal and I promise years of luck.

 

[jzaso]

I have had that fungia for a few months and it has never moved, so i am not worried about that. I put the clam on the frag plug to give it something to attach to other than substrate.

Just a concern with motile corals-should grow rapidly if happy you will see new growth around
the valves(shell)margin also new scutes should forming-if your tank is less than 1yr old
I would def feed as your tank probably does not have a viable zoo/phyto base yet-bysal
threads(attachment) will degenerate with maturity only crocea will hold there bysal threads
thru adulthood-sorry about the spelling

 

[Steveg229]

I might end up moving the fungia anyways to spread out what is already on the sand. My tank has been setup for 1 year and 7 months...wow time flies...I do plan on feeding phyto once or twice a week, I figure it wont hurt.

 

[Steveg229]

The clam appears to be very happy so far, but I did have a question? What is the normal opening/closing cycle for the maxima? Mine opens fully shortly after the lights come on and starts closing slowly as my lights dim. My Leds come on at 930 am and ramp to full brightness by 3pm and slowly ramp down to off at 930 pm. It appears happy and healthy so far, I was just wondering if this was normal for them? It has full mantle extension, is not stretching, and responds well to movement/shadows. I am assuming it is acting normal?

 

[salt_for_brains]

Sounds like a clam to me:D

Mine does the same things you describe. ;)

 

[Steveg229]

Cool. I just wanted to make sure, as this is my first clam. So far so good!!

 

[Marines_Wife]

Sounds like a clam to me:D

oh dear. You were waiting to use that one werent you

 

[salt_for_brains]

Something about the name Steve just brings out the smart a$$ in me:D

 

[Aquarian]

Something about the name Steve just brings out the smart a$$ in me:D

I would go as far as to say "Smart" but you got the A$$ down pat:thumbsup::D