Clams and some Growth Shots

[Samw]

Some new growth on the Squamosa and Derasa as seen on the tips of the shell.

[Dez]

Is your Squamosa attached to a rock or anything? How about your Maxima's? I have both my Squamosas in the substrate like that, I tried to get them to attach but they won't, and when in the substrate, it moves around alot. One of my Squamosa's has tripled in size, it's about 8 inches now, but aren't they supposed to be attached to a hard surface? Just wondering what your experience is. My maxima is in the substrate, but attached to a piece of coral rubble about an inch. Thanks,

Des

[CHEAPREEF]

Squamosa's do not attach to hard surfaces, they like to be on teh substrate.

Clinton

[Dez]

Squamosa Clam is often found living amongst Acropora coral, anchored by its byssal filaments (eTropicals.com)

Natural habitat
T. squamosa is normally found in deeper waters in its natural habitat, most often on reef walls or on the bottom of the reef, attached to coral rubble (Aquarium Frontiers Online - Daniel Knop)

COMMON NAME: Squamosa Clam
FAMILY: Cardiacea
GENUS: Tridacna
SPECIES: Squamosa
RANGE: Indo and south pacific, Indian Ocean and Red Sea

This is a very interesting clam with highly variable patterns and colors. Although not usually bright green or blue, the different patterns with various earth tones, along with very decorative shells make them fun clams to collect. They grow to a maximum of 16 inches, with large scales or “scutes” all over the shells. Lighting requirements are lower than crocea or maxima clams and can be placed lower in the aquarium under strong lighting conditions. A rock substrate is best for these clams. (reefstore.com)

As you can see, in nature they are attached. I do not have rock substrate, sugar sized sand would not be considered rock substrate.

Des

[CHEAPREEF]

Dez, you can quote as many books as you like , i'm just speaking from my own experiance and what i've read on others. I never had any luck with my Squamosa on a rock surface way happier on the substrate, i've never read of oe being happy anywhere else.

Clinton

[Dez]

hey Clinton, I'm just trying to learn here. Daniel Knop has been dealing with clams a lot more than I have. My Squamosas are apparently doing fine on the substrate, but I want to mimic as close to what I can what their environment is in nature. I was just seeing if other hobbiests had any luck with theirs on the rock. Mine was attached on my rock for a couple of months, then detached. Anyway, didn't your Squamosa just die? And wasn't it on the substrate? Maybe if it was attached, then the parasitic snail or whatever couldn't have gotten in from underneath? Who knows. Your experience with the Squamosa was only a year, was it happy? I'm seeking advice from more experienced hobbiest than myself.

Des

[Samw]

Originally Posted by Dez

Is your Squamosa attached to a rock or anything? How about your Maxima's?
Des

At the moment, none are attached to rock. I haven't seriously tried to let them attach yet. I need to get some extra rubble first. A tip is find a flat piece and 2 bigger pieces and then place the clam on the flat piece and put the taller pieces on each side of the clam until it attaches. I did try to place a maxima on a flat piece once but one of my fish kept pushing it off so I gave up on that idea. But the eventual goal is to get them on a rock so they don't move around too much on the sand.

[Dez]

Thanks Sam,

Has anyone on this board had their clams for more than a few years (The clams that are recommended to be attached, like Maxima's and Squamosa's) without having them attach to a hard surface and just stuck in the sand? This would be interesting to know. Of course I'd rather just stick it in the sand, it's much easier to place and position. Thanks so much.

Des

[CHEAPREEF]

Originally Posted by Dez

Anyway, didn't your Squamosa just die? And wasn't it on the substrate? Maybe if it was attached, then the parasitic snail or whatever couldn't have gotten in from underneath? Des

Het Des why not be an Ahole about it. The snails that killed my clam came from your store, he was fine for over a year before i desided to buy a little more rock from your store.

Clinton

[Dez]

I'm sorry...I just felt really attacked. I'm just trying to learn. I take everything back. Still looking for opinions on the clam attaching thing. Apology to all in the public

Des

ps.... every store in the city has the same supplier of live rock as us