Clam curious

[Jeremey’s reef]

Is my 29gal too small for a maxima clam? These are beautiful creatures and as I start over in regards to livestock my mind focus on head turners. I’m very curious as to what fish to choose as tankmates for the clam. Again appearance is key as I hope to marvel with other at my version of nature’s aquatic beauties. I’ve looked at various online shops and they all seem to have the same fish. I want unique creatures not seen in your typical aquarium. Please tell me this clam will work for me......

 

[lmm1967]

Clams require mature and stable tanks with good lighting. I would not even try until the tank has been stable & supporting life for a year.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Ditto. Additionally, the clam would take up the majority of the 29g tank as it matures. Maxima’s grow to up to 12-16” in diameter. By example; a NBA basketball, while spherical, is 9.5” in diameter. While baby clams would need an even more stable and aged tank; and high/strong lighting.

You probably would also have temperature, oxygen, and food issues in a small tank. Clams filter through a ridiculous amount of water. I feel like a 29g would be the equivalent of us breathing through a paper bag... perhaps doable, but not pleasant and at increased risk.

 

[Jeremey’s reef]

Bummer I really want one I guess I need to upgrade my tank to a larger one because I am not interested in the nano fish but I guess you get what you pay for

 

[lmm1967]

Bummer I really want one I guess I need to upgrade my tank to a larger one because I am not interested in the nano fish but I guess you get what you pay for

Set a goal, get stable and achieve the goal.

Just do it slow. You’ll get there. Concentrate on the cool stuff your tank is ready for.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Set a goal, get stable and achieve the goal.

Just do it slow. You’ll get there. Concentrate on the cool stuff your tank is ready for.

Perfectly said!

 

[ActiveAngel]

... I am not interested in the nano fish but I guess you get what you pay for

I understand if you love tangs and the few other big reef-safe fish. But there are (literally) thousands upon thousands of Nano fish species. The majority of fish in the world probably classify as them. And some are rare but incredibly awesome! Keep your head up and stay positive!

Small fish/animals are nearer the bottom of the food chain and have developed numerous methods to stay alive; whether it’s watchman gobies building relationships with pistol shrimp (a shrimp which can create pressure differentials in the water that they implode and reach the temperature of the surface of the sun), stunning camouflage, or my favorite aposematic and false-aposematic coloration (bright/vibrant colors to indicate that they be poisonous for other fish to eat).

What do big fish do? They swim around and look big. Psh... lame (I’m joking of course. I like all fish; but small fish are very underrated).

 

[Tanster2]

I understand if you love tangs and the few other big reef-safe fish. But there are (literally) thousands upon thousands of Nano fish species. The majority of fish in the world probably classify as them. And some are rare but incredibly awesome! Keep your head up and stay positive!

Small fish/animals are nearer the bottom of the food chain and have developed numerous methods to stay alive; whether it’s watchman gobies building relationships with pistol shrimp (a shrimp which can create pressure differentials in the water that they implode and reach the temperature of the surface of the sun), stunning camouflage, or my favorite aposematic and false-aposematic coloration (bright/vibrant colors to indicate that they be poisonous for other fish to eat).

What do big fish do? They swim around and look big. Psh... lame (I’m joking of course. I like all fish; but small fish are very underrated).

Gotta agree here! Some folks look past some of the cooler nano fish. I have a red finned fairy wrasse that is my favorite fish. Its colors are amazing. And my starry blenny has more character than any fish I've ever owned. Nano fish are awesome!

 

[jcook54]

Plus, it's much easier to upgrade to a larger system when you have a good, stable, and mature system to draw from. A lot of time you can pretty much skip the cycle when you upgrade as long as you increase the bioload slowly. All of the rock, substrate and filter material from the established system can be move to the larger system and function as the bio filtration that is the end result of a cycle.

 

[Jeremey’s reef]

I am very fond of tangs, moorish idol, emperor angels, sharks, clams, rabbit fish, lion fish, sea horses, Batfish, butterflies, eels, sea stars and some triggers...... with the Gem tang as my favorite fish to look at I will eventually upgrade my tank when it makes financial sense. I hope to upgrade to a 180g in the coming months where I plan to house a Gem tang, emperor angel, moorish idol, 3 yellow tangs, 2 cleaner shrimp, 2 fire shrimp, a maxima clam, red and pink fromia sea star and a sand sifting sea star will this be too much of a bio load???

 

[ActiveAngel]

Haha... for all that? If you’re serious; unfortunately yes. Many of those creatures will eat each other; but you’d probably want at least a 800g (preferably 1000-2000g though) for the bioload.

The batfish and sharks will have huge bio-loads and need 500g or more on their own, with massive filtration systems; Even for the smallest shark species in the hobby. Other smaller sharks often require either pressurized and dark tanks and/or very cold water that will kill other things on your list. And many of your list will eat the clam, as well as the shrimps and sea stars.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Also; those sea horses will never survive. Not with The flow, the bio load, or the predators.

It sounds to me like you want 2-3 different systems. One large predator system, one moderate or large reef system, and maybe a low flow peaceful nano.

 

[Jeremey’s reef]

Haha... for all that? If you’re serious; unfortunately yes. Many of those creatures will eat each other; but you’d probably want at least a 800g (preferably 1000-2000g though) for the bioload.

The batfish and sharks will have huge bio-loads and need 500g or more on their own, with massive filtration systems; Even for the smallest shark species in the hobby. Other smaller sharks often require either pressurized and dark tanks and/or very cold water that will kill other things on your list. And many of your list will eat the clam, as well as the shrimps and sea stars.

I don’t plan on getting a shark or Batfish I just think there awesome, I plan on getting a Gem tang, 3 yellow tangs, a emperor angelfish, moorish idol two sea stars and 4 shrimp (2) fire and (2) cleaner

 

[Jeremey’s reef]

Also; those sea horses will never survive. Not with The flow, the bio load, or the predators.

It sounds to me like you want 2-3 different systems. One large predator system, one moderate or large reef system, and maybe a low flow peaceful nano.

yea I think the sea horses are cool but but I was asking for advice on housing a Gem tang (3) yellow tangs , a emperor angelfish, moorish idol, two sea stars and a few shrimp

 

[Brandonfishdish89]

Derosa clams are hardy and should work in your tank. 4 tangs of small-medium size will work in a 180 with good filtration. I would do more research on the Moorish idol(usually see them in 300+gal) and emporer angelfish are not typically reef safe.

 

[Jeremey’s reef]

I will have to check that clam out, I can’t say I have ran across one just yet. Thanks for your help

 

[Jeremey’s reef]

Derosa clams are hardy and should work in your tank. 4 tangs of small-medium size will work in a 180 with good filtration. I would do more research on the Moorish idol(usually see them in 300+gal) and emporer angelfish are not typically reef safe.

I will have to check the Derosa clam out, I can’t say that I have seen one just yet. Thanks for your help

 

[bzb]

Raise this thread... from the dead! I also be clam curious.

After speaking with @FutureInterest this evening about redoing my tank... I realized that a clam was on my "never was able to keep it" list. Despite running halides, I never had automated dosing or ATO... forgiving LPS were the best that I kept back then - not to say I didn't try many things that I never should have!

Crazy enough, this thread is about a year old, which my DT is coming up on. I'm about to rip out a few rocks and completely redo my aquascape, and make some room. I run an "almost" DSB (about 3" deep) and I'd love to get a blue or teal Maxima or Derasa.

Tank is pretty stable and I'm growing a few sticks with ease. My tank is "dosed" with ESV phyto and Reef Roids daily with the reef chili I feed, but I've also got large pipettes to do some direct feeding. My 90Gal is 18" width so I think What else do y'all think I need to do to prep for a new clammy arrival?

And hey, maybe your tank is ready to go on this journey, too @Jeremey’s reef

 

[Rainblood]

wasnt jeremy successful in keeping a derasa?

 

[bzb]

Now that I think about it... my CBB destroys live clams. Would introducing a derasa or squamosa just be a really expensive dinner for the CBB?