So before you rush to choose a particular color (or pattern), take the time to review the pros and cons. Looking at a mature maxima clam in an aquarium, you cant help but marvel at the size. Lighting & Flow Requirements: Maxima Clams require moderate water flow and moderate lighting (PAR 180-300). I enjoyed reading it. Also do they prefer more daylight spectrums instead of the more blue seen for Acros? Thats in the tropics. They are found throughout the Indo-Pacific, as far north as southern Japan, as far south as the Great Barrier Reef. You are using an out of date browser. Maximas prefer areas with a strong current. And while theyre not the most ACTIVE additions to an aquarium, youll still get to see the mantle open and close. Yet, it has only so much space in its mantle to host them. And at adult size? As the clam grows, they will require less supplemented feedings. Maxima Clam Care Scientific Name : Tridacna maxima Common Names : Maxima Clam, Giant Clam Care Level : Moderate to difficult Size : Up to 12 inches (30 cm) Life span : Tridacna clams can have very long lifespans pH : 8.1 - 8.4 Temperature : 75F - 80F (25C - 27C) Specific Gravity : 1.023 - 1.025 Carbonate Hardness (dKH) : 8 - 11 what about clean up crew ? I've kept them in the bottom to mid levels of tanks for years under 8x54 watt T5's with excellent results. Water Flow: Moderate : Diet: Phytoplankton : Range: South Pacific : Size Class: 0: view chart. However, the larger your tank, the easier it is to stay on top of your water quality. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Thanks, It definitely opens wide. If you can think of a tropical getaway, odds are youll find the colorful mantles tucked into rocky crevices along the reef. Thanks for putting all this knowledge and information together for everyone to view, very much appreciated. You dont want the clam to fall. I cant wait for the day when clams become as popular as corals! But outside that they did great. Maxima clams dont present a problem in reef tanks. You CANT allow ammonia, nitrite, or even nitrates to build up. Cant wait to get one! T5's, Metal Halides, or LED's can all grow Maxima Clams when the proper PAR levels are provided. In the areas where we collected clams in French Polynesia I tested several areas and always was less than 8. The mantle closes, and they rest for the night. But when youre looking for a stunning bivalve for your reef tank, you cant ask for better. there are no requirements, but i believe that a strong, indirect turbulent whorling type flow is always good. These sustainably farmed specimens are available as First Grade, Gold and Black & Color. When placing your maxima into the tank, do not put it in a tight crevice. is a great choice. You dont want to end up with excess nutrients fouling things. I put 1 HQI metal halide with push pull fans and UV glass shield. For a maxima clam to reach that average size of 12-14 inches (30.5-35.6cm), it takes 50-60 YEARS. They will do well when placed on a hard substrate or rock so they can attach. This prevents a maxima from self-fertilizing (a bad idea from a genetics perspective). JavaScript is disabled. Thats stressful, and youre chances of losing the mollusk go up. Diet / Foods : They derive most of their energy requirements from photosynthesis (high output aquarium light such as Metal Halide or T5's) and they are filter feeders and will filter ammonia and nitrates. Then they shift their position. The clam seems to be doing very well. Additionally, unlike a few of its close relatives, it will not be content to sit on a soft substrate. Because the clam is pretty much reliant on its symbiont for food, it needs quite a few of them. These Clam Colors Are Unreal & Clam Care Info! But even these farmed specimens are particular about water quality, lighting and substrate. The Maxima gets most of their energy needs from the zooxanthellae living within the mantle and need high intensity lighting over the tank. Now I know why my clac/alk consumption almost doubled. Maxima clams receive meals from two sources: zooxanthellae and filter-feeding. That makes sense, considering the byssal threads (or byssal filaments) are how the clam anchors itself. The shrimp and crabs live in and around the shell, using it as a source of protection. To prevent this unwanted outcome, avoid any of these pickers:. I am not a clam expert (actually have never been able to keep one successfully), so I can't help you, but here is a free bump. Maxima clams are susceptible to predation by pyramid snails and often get nipped at by fish and crustaceans. And flushing food directly onto a maxima clam with a turkey baster will cause the mantle to close in defense. Maxima clams also need light and a lot of it. . very informative. adroll_pix_id = "CH2QRUFHXZELLLCMHAB5GI"; Seems like a lot, could use some thoughts. Just keep an eye on your water quality. If you decide to try a maxima clam on sandy substrate, it WILL move itself. But it also keeps the clam CLEAN. Very pretty clam for sure. Smaller species less than a couple of inches are supposed to be more sensitive to intense lighting and should be adjusted slowly over a period of weeks to higher lighting levels. You want to keep their eventual size in the back of your mind, though. Extending the photoperiod? Maxima clams grow embedded in rock. . I have everything the clam needs to thrive! My understanding is that maxima clams require 250ish PAR, but the people I've talked to said it should be placed on the sand bed. And if you dive around the Red Sea, youll come across solid blue varieties. That's a beautiful clam . If you find yourself confronted with an infestation of pyramid snails, these natural pest control methods will help: No two maxima clams look alike. Putting you clam close to the surface might help a bit, but in the end, if you dont have the right (super intense) lighting, your clam is toast. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Add to cart Share this product: Overnight Shipping for Livestock Live Arrival Guarantee Best Packaging in Industry Free Shipping on Orders over $ 375 Description For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. While a sunny spot on the reef seems simple enough, duplicating the environment in your aquarium gets tricky. Your good. Too many attacks and theyll stay closed. This is one thing I really want when my new tank is 100% ready. The clams ARE susceptible to stings from sweeper tentacles. Loving my Gold Maxima right now. Itll be worth it, though. When you have a clam like a Maxima or Crocea they will require mounting on the rock. Those colorful growths signal a thriving tank suitable for a maxima clam. Once theyre a juvenile, they get their zooxanthellae. Tahitian Blue Maxima Clams (https://youtu.be/qu0vz4ycSaI), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQrggJmNTw4, The Secret To Keeping Clams. Sperm are released first, with eggs released later. I was using a hand built hood that matched the stand. You probably dont need to worry about it. And there are a few reasons for that! Allow the food to drift down to the clam for several minutes. Tridacna maxima are relatively hardy clams, and require intense lighting and good water flow in the home aquarium. 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. Stability is absolutely key with maxima clams. To begin with, you need a mature tank. It makes for a dynamic reef display (provided you skip hermit crabs they dont play nice). Then release the bottle. Similarly, make sure that all other parameters are not just alright, but perfect. This means adhering to a strict schedule of 25% water changes every week. What is needed for a saltwater fish tank? Have had them most of my life in this hobby and it seems they love a good tank with lots of fish. (Scallops are the most mobile of the group) This allows them to find the best place on a reef to settle. I assume that derasa is still carrying it and will infect any new clams I might add so now I am trying to figure out what to do with it, it is healthy and growing well. Id love to raise Maximas but they always seem so difficult. The truth is that this choice has the potential to have a significant effect on, Everyone's favorite eight-armed mollusk is having its very own day! Also, an unattached clam can easily get knocked from its perch and tumble, presenting the threat of injury. That will practically do nothing to help. Maxima clams dont care too much about your tanks dcor. And while the image of a giant clam flopping around sounds horrible for corals, its not a big deal. Want to grow your business and reach a wider audience? If the aquarium water isnt generously replaced on a very regular basis (at least 25% weekly), it is wise to supplement trace elements. So you need to keep them closer to the bottom. Squamosa x Maxima hybrid characteristics? Maxima and Crocea clams require more light, while Derasa, Squamosa and Gigas clams require a little less light. In the mornings, they open the mantle to provide as much light as possible to the symbiotic algae. Research your newly purchased clam and place the clam according to its lighting requirements. Common mantle colors are blue, green, gold and turquoise with various mantle patterns. The bivalves make their home in shallow, CLEAR waters. Updated August 6, 2019Author: Mike - FishLore AdminSocial Media: The Tridacna Maxima Clam also goes by the common name of the giant clam but it's really the small giant clam since the true giant clam is Tridacna gigas. Interesting alk not higher than 8. And look at the growth! adroll_adv_id = "RWFLKG57L5GR7KGYSOEUOK"; So taking on one of these beautiful mollusks is a long-term investment on your part. (The average hobbyist doesnt have the space for its cousins) The smooth giant clam (Tridacna derasa) and giant clam (Tridacna gigas) grow double and triple the size of the maxima. Easy attach your maxima clam to a SMALL flat rock. Putting in extra effort to make this beautiful clam thrive in an aquarium is worth all the work. All parameters come with a range. Privacy Policy | SiteMap | Aquarium Dictionary | Affiliate Disclosure | Contact Us | Advertise. And that means death via starvation. It thus needs the zooxanthellae that is has to be as productive as possible. This makes them unsuited to a newly set up tank where some parameters could still be in flux. Do you have problems with getting enough water flow from your return pump back in your display tank? If you spot coralline algae showing up, youre in the clear. Maxima Clam Blue 0 reviews Add your review C$249.99 4 in stock Ships Tuesday-Thursday: FedEx Priority Overnight Ordered before 14:00, delivered tomorrow. Especially when you brag youve got the Holy Grail stashed away at home. They also position themselves in high currents to obtain the best planktonic snow. When the sun sets? What fish are okay to have with clams ? And theres no symmetry to that hinged monstrosity. It also requires calcium levels of at least 280 mg/L, preferably 400-480 mg/L, as well as adequate strontium,iodine and other trace elements. One way to avoid these hazards is to allow each specimen to attach itself firmly to a well-fitted rock (e.g. Once the maximas 4 inches (10.2cm), drop down to 2-3 times a week. Stable calcium, alk ph and par are key for clams. They are much sought after in the aquarium trade, as their often striking coloration mimics that of the true giant clam; however, the maximas maintain a manageable size, with the shells of large specimens typically not exceeding 20 centimetres (7.9 . A normal clam can look quite gaping a one time and later appear totally normal. Care: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful Reef Safe: Yes Max Size: 12" Lighting: High Flow: Medium Blue Maxima Clams are truly a stunning species, and make an excellent centerpiece for any reef tank. How about a diamond goby ? Well, and the fact that once youve created the perfect home, theyll happily stay in place. Hobbyists love maxima clams for their beauty. Youll also see a shell thats longer than it is wide (at LEAST three times longer). In the wild, maxima clams settle in areas with a high current. See below for more information. Well, you CAN if you dont understand the care needs of this champion bivalve. If you guessed that it means youll need a bigger light for your aquarium, you guessed right. This fuels the photosynthesis carried out by the zooxanthellae within their mantle. Maxima Clam-Blue, 6-7 INCHES, Tahiti . 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. In a home aquarium we would not see the natural spawning and settling of clams, thus not see the embedding in rock we see in the wild. I did loose one but that was due to the ongoing battle with my snails. Were talking 4 inches (10.2cm) a year! my maxima moves around all day long adjusting to the sunlight in the morning and then in the evening it moves around again to get better access to the tank lights. All you need is a proper setup within your saltwater aquarium. Young clams (under 2 inches/5cm) have thin mantles. (Yes, even if you put them on sand) As they open and close or shift the movements minor. Good knowledge for a great start . Manage Settings Email * First Name * Last Name * * I'm not a robot *Required field : SHIPPING INFO: Shipping Option: Order Status: Free Care Package: CONTACT US. And once it acclimates to the light, settle it into that chosen spot. Join our mission to build a more sustainable aquarium hobby, one tank at a time! And wiped out all but one Derasa are in order matter what you feel calling out to you, guessed When a Tridacnid settles into an area it likes, it opens and closes mantle! 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