Clams

[merkywater]

What is the trick to get a clam to attach to the spot you would like it to be? Mine seem to continually fall and I am putting them in very flat spots, or flattest spots I can find anyway.

Thanks in advance!
Nate

 

[coolsurf]

Make sure that they have a sense of security when placed. If they do not feel secure, they will jump/fall. I usually place rock around them so they feel good.

 

[oz]

They will move until they are in a happy spot with regards to light, flow, and attachable surface. They might be falling because they're trying to get to a different place not because the surface isn't adequate.

 

[haninja]

Oz;540877 wrote: They will move until they are in a happy spot with regards to light, flow, and attachable surface. They might be falling because they're trying to get to a different place not because the surface isn't adequate.

+1. They actually don't fall, they jump.
Bet way to attache a clam is put it on a half shell on the sand and let it attache itself. After it attached itself you can then move it with the shell.
What kind of clam is it? some clams likes the sand...

 

[merkywater]

Maxima clams I actually do keep one on the sand an it loves. The other maxima moves constantly so I figured he would prefer a rock instead. I also actually know that they move with their foot to get in the position they like, but mine love to go cliff jumping. I have heard as well to let them attach to a shell and then move it, but have notice others hae them attach to the craziest places and was wondering if there was some sort of trick I'm missing. Thanks for all the input so for though. I appreciate it very much!

 

[johnr2604]

Maximas typically like to be paced on a solid surface as apposed to sand from my experience.

 

[merkywater]

Mine too John....That is why I have tried to move the one to the rocks. The other I've had for solid 2 months and he seems to love it he is doing very well. The other I've had about a month he is doing good but can tell he isn't happy. I have moved him to a spot and seems to like it so far we'll see where he's at im the morning.

johnr2604;541037 wrote: Maximas typically like to be paced on a solid surface as apposed to sand from my experience.

 

[jjkeith]

So they are tending to go lower in the tank? What kind of light you running. Maybe they are looking for a little less light. Just a thought. My maxima loved the sand too but I ended up getting it to attach lower in the aquarium when I went bare bottom.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

jjkeith;541098 wrote: So they are tending to go lower in the tank? What kind of light you running. Maybe they are looking for a little less light. Just a thought. My maxima loved the sand too but I ended up getting it to attach lower in the aquarium when I went bare bottom.

Not likely. Tridacnid clams functionally cannot get too much light (unless not acclimated properly). The more light they get, the better they do.

IMO, it is flow and substrate that causes clams to move.

 

[gnashty]

You can use a 2 part epoxy (i got mine from Tim at Keen Reef) this specific brand (Cant remember, the dog chewed up the box :unsure

it has specific instructions on how to make a clam "shoe". molding the epoxy around the bottom of the clam, removing it and allowing to cure - then fit the clam "shoe" to the clam - then you are free to safely place where ever you need without fear of jumping. just read about it, never done it, and dont know anyone who has tried it - but the option...is there.

 

[sstraub5150]

I have owned 30+ clams in my reef life and in my experience, Maximas and Croceas attach when they are happy. Another thing to consider is that some stores in their attempt to get them off a surface when a customer buys them can and sometimes unknowingly damage the byssal thread by pulling or using a razor blade to get them off. If that happens it is not only a crap shoot if they will or have enough thread left to attach and sometimes it is fatal. I have 4 maximas, 2 squamosas, a derasa and a crocea and only two are attached. Clams have no problem living in the sand. I would not recommend using epoxy to attach them because you can restrict their movement and could prevent their shells from opening all the way and the mantle will not fully extend.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

sstraub5150;541360 wrote: I have owned 30+ clams in my reef life and in my experience, Maximas and Croceas attach when they are happy. Another thing to consider is that some stores in their attempt to get them off a surface when a customer buys them can and sometimes unknowingly damage the byssal thread by pulling or using a razor blade to get them off. If that happens it is not only a crap shoot if they will or have enough thread left to attach and sometimes it is fatal. I have 4 maximas, 2 squamosas, a derasa and a crocea and only two are attached. Clams have no problem living in the sand. I would not recommend using epoxy to attach them because you can restrict their movement and could prevent their shells from opening all the way and the mantle will not fully extend.

I would agree and disagree with some of your statements. I agree wholeheartedly that I have seen some store owner do what equates to torture in order to get a clam to release (and sell) a clam, including pulling, twisting, and chiseling (jeez). However, using a razor is a perfectly acceptable way to remove them, provided the cut is made as far from the foot as possible. The byssal threads are an inconsequential part of the anatomy, and can be cut with no damage to the clam. The foot, or byssus (byssal gland) secretes the byssal threads which secure the clam. This is what is left behind when a clam "jumps" after it was attached. If the byssus itslef is damaged, that can be fatal. But the threads can be cut with not ill effect.

I agree that a clam shouldnt be epoxied, but I believe it was suggested to make a cradle of the epoxy for the clam to lay in.

As for clams in the sand, while I do agree they "can" live there, I would argue that the majority of clams would MUCH prefer to live on the rocks of the reef. Only the largest clams in adult gigas and derasas lack byssal involvement as adults. They use their own weight to sit in the sandy lagoons. However, juveniles of these species, and adults and juveniles of the other species are always found in the reef rocks, with byssal threads to secure them. While they may live in the sand, I would argue they are MUCH happier and more adept to living int the rocks, under suitable conditions.

 

[merkywater]

I appreciate all the great info and directions. I have one of the Maximas on the sand bed and it seems to like it pretty well. The other I have moved to a ledge that it seems to like as well so I believe I'm set. All great info for the future as I know I will be purchasing more clams, as I like them very much!

Thank you all for your input!
Nate

 

[sstraub5150]

jmaneyapanda;541368 wrote: I would agree and disagree with some of your statements. I agree wholeheartedly that I have seen some store owner do what equates to torture in order to get a clam to release (and sell) a clam, including pulling, twisting, and chiseling (jeez). However, using a razor is a perfectly acceptable way to remove them, provided the cut is made as far from the foot as possible. The byssal threads are an inconsequential part of the anatomy, and can be cut with no damage to the clam. The foot, or byssus (byssal gland) secretes the byssal threads which secure the clam. This is what is left behind when a clam "jumps" after it was attached. If the byssus itslef is damaged, that can be fatal. But the threads can be cut with not ill effect.

I agree that a clam shouldnt be epoxied, but I believe it was suggested to make a cradle of the epoxy for the clam to lay in.

As for clams in the sand, while I do agree they "can" live there, I would argue that the majority of clams would MUCH prefer to live on the rocks of the reef. Only the largest clams in adult gigas and derasas lack byssal involvement as adults. They use their own weight to sit in the sandy lagoons. However, juveniles of these species, and adults and juveniles of the other species are always found in the reef rocks, with byssal threads to secure them. While they may live in the sand, I would argue they are MUCH happier and more adept to living int the rocks, under suitable conditions.

The reason I brought up the clams in the sand is on more than one occasion I have had a juveniles just not attach to rocks no matter what I did. I agree the higher in the tank the better but when they won't attach, whadaya gonna do?

Also in my experience, anytime a LFS or myself cut a byssal, it never attaches again. Also I have known people who have epoxied a clam to live rock and they died. Then they had the headache of removing an epoxied corpse. Just wanted to save someone a headache.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

sstraub5150;541375 wrote: The reason I brought up the clams in the sand is on more than one occasion I have had a juveniles just not attach to rocks no matter what I did. I agree the higher in the tank the better but when they won't attach, whadaya gonna do?

Also in my experience, anytime a LFS or myself cut a byssal, it never attaches again. Also I have known people who have epoxied a clam to live rock and they died. Then they had the headache of removing an epoxied corpse. Just wanted to save someone a headache.

I agree, if theyll only sit in the sand, so be it. But, I do not think they would be better in the sand. I have had wonderful success with even small clams with very very little flow. I think they are very sensitive to it. I also think they need a reasonably smooth surface, not a jagged razor edge piece of live rock. But, Im speculating from my experience.

When I worked at a LFS in NY, I would cut byssal threads all the time, and they would almost ALWAYS grow back. As long as its cut as far from the clam as possible, all is fine. They will usually "eject" the remnants, and start over. JME.

As for epoxying, I agree. They shouldnt have the shell fastened.