Maxima Clams larger than 2” do not require supplemental feedings, but smaller T. maxima that are less than 2” should be fed a phytoplankton or greenwater supplement several times per week if maintained in a nutrient poor reef aquarium.
Do maxima clams need phytoplankton?
A often debated topic is whether or not to feed the Maxima clam. Some swear that they need to be fed phytoplankton at least a couple times per week. Others think they do not need to be fed and get most of what they need from their zooxanthellae and filter feeding on ammonia and nitrates from the water column.
How often should I Feed my maxima clam?
This process works as the maxima clam grows. You just cut down the frequency of the feeding. Once the maxima’s 4 inches (10.2cm), drop down to 2-3 times a week. And at “adult” size? You CAN offer food once a week if you want. Just keep an eye on your water quality. You don’t want to end up with excess nutrients fouling things.
How do you feed clams?
There are several products available for feeding clams. Turn off water flow and using a turkey baster or similar feeding device carefully squeeze the food out a few inches away from the mantle and let the food drift down to them. Sometimes this causes them to clench up.
What are maxima clams good for?
Maxima clams provide shelter for shrimp and crab species. Maxima clams are sensitive to ANY changes in your water parameters; you’ll need your tank to remain as stable as possible. You need a mature tank, stable for at least six months before you can introduce even a young clam.
Do maxima clams need to be fed?
They don't need extra feelings aside from strong light and disturbing it isn't good. If it wants it could filter the food out of the tank the gorgs don't eat (phyto), but spot feeding clams, especially maximas is no longer done as research has shown its not needed.
What do you feed a clam?
Clams eat plankton, algae, and other organic matter. ... Clams filter-feed to obtain food and also form symbiotic relationships. ... Clams bury themselves and go dormant in winter, but they can be harvested during this time. ... Large clams help remove excess nutrients from waterways, improving the environment.More items...•
How do you tell if Maxima clam is healthy?
Best examples of a healthy clam are no gapping holes in the syphon (inlet and outlet). Next is they should be sensitive to shadows and respond by closing up some what. Also the mantle should be open usually past the upper tooth area of the shell. The mantle shouldn't be bleached, fadded or show any signs of damage.
Are maxima clams hard to keep?
Clams are a beautiful addition to any reef aquarium and they are pretty easy to keep once you have the right lighting, flow and water parameters.
How do you keep clams alive?
Because clams must be allowed to breathe to stay alive, store them in a single layer, covered with a damp cloth in the fridge (40ºF), and use them as soon as possible—definitely within two days. Never store clams covered or sealed in plastic. Any clams that die before being cooked should be discarded.
Do you have to feed clams?
However, just like any animal, clams need sufficient nutrition to stay healthy and grow. Clams often live off the products of photosynthetic creatures in their environment but aquarium clams may still require supplemental feeding depending on your exact setup, hours of light exposure, filter type etc.
How quickly do maxima clams grow?
.08 to 1.6 inches per yearEven though Maxima's can grow large, they do it at a much slower rate. On average this clam will only grow . 08 to 1.6 inches per year, rather than the 4" per year seen with the for-mentioned two big fellows. To reach a 14" length will take a Maxima clam 50 to 60 years.
How long does it take for a Maxima clam to attach?
Bury a decent rubble, rock plug or clam cradle on the sand and place the clam on top. It should latch itself in a day or two.
How do you know if a clam is happy?
In fact, those who keep them as pets cite only two signs to tell if they're happy: a mouth that is not “gaping” (a clam that opens too wide is under distress), and a mantle (or skin inside the shell) that receives frequent exposure.
How do you burp a maxima clam?
Just rotate them underwater and any bubbles will come out. Yeah it's not even a big deal at all, your cool. i pull my clams out every few weeks to scrub parasitic snails off them. they tolerate being out of water for super long periods.
How big can a maxima clam get?
Maxima Clams are known to live together in great congregations, and they can attain a maximum size of 12" in the wild.
Do maxima clams close at night?
maxima occurs only in clear, shallow waters that receive extremely bright sunshine. While the clam might close up completely at night, it spreads its mantle widely during daylight hours to catch as much sun as possible.
What can I feed freshwater clams?
In most cases, feeding a Freshwater Clam naturally occurring edible material is not enough. It may be necessary to supplement a clam's diet with very finely ground Calcium enriched pellets or tablets, fish flakes or algae wafers. As these supplements dissolve, a Freshwater Clam will begin filter feeding them out.
Do clams eat sand?
Clams filter microscopic particles, not stones or grains of sand — or corn meal. Clams don't have gizzards. They don't need grit to do their jobs. Grit in your shell is just a side effect of being a clam.
Can you keep saltwater clams as pets?
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How long do clams live for?
Soft shell clams can live for 10-12 years. Some may have lived for as long as 28 years. A green crab can eat as many as 15 clams a day. A bushel of soft shelled clams weighs about 60 pounds.
Where do Maxima clams live?
They are found all over the Indo-Pacific often in large congregations where there is high light penetration. The Maxima gets most of their energy needs from the zooxanthellae living within the mantle and need high intensity lighting over the tank. Metal halide and T5's are recommended to keep these clams.
What is the color of a clam?
The colors on this clam can be simply outrageous and extremely vibrant. Common mantle colors are blue, green, gold and turquoise with various mantle patterns.
What is maxima clam?
For those willing to spend the time and money necessary to create an exceptionally healthy reef aquarium environment, a maxima clam (at least one!) is a great choice. It may be hard to believe that fully aquacultured specimens have been available in the trade for only about six years at the time of this writing. All farmed tridacnids, whether maricultured or bred entirely in aquaria, are considerably hardier than the wild ones that were once available. But even these farmed specimens are particular about water quality, lighting and substrate. Paying close attention to these three critical factors, one is well on their way to keeping and enjoying one of these magnificent mollusks for many years.
What are giant clams?
For a couple of decades now, tridacnid or “giant” clams (genera Tridacna and Hippopus) have been regarded as the cherries on top of any well-constructed and well-maintained reef aquarium. Though there have been a couple of newcomers along the way, most members of the relatively small family Tridacnidae have been available in the trade all the while (give and take some bumps along the road due to harvest/trade restrictions). Throughout this time, a single species has stood out as a clear favorite among reef aquarists: Tridacna maxima, the maxima clam.
Can T maxima sit on sand?
Additionally, unlike a few of its close relatives, it will not be content to sit on a soft substrate. Rather, it loves to snuggle into a tight, rocky pocket. While placing them on the sand won’t necessarily harm them, they will likely waste energy to move somewhere else.
Is T maxima sensitive to water quality?
While all tridacnids are sensitive to suboptimal water quality, T. maxima is especially touchy. This makes them unsuited to a newly set up tank where some parameters could still be in flux. At a minimum, there should never be detectable concentrations of ammonia or nitrite. Even nitrate and phosphate should be maintained at nearly undetectable levels.