Clams / Bivalve

Clams / Bivalve

Clams / Bivalve are one of the most popular, reef compatible pets for Marine Aquariums. Belonging to the Phylum Mollusca, Clams / Bivalve have two Shell Valves, and add immense visual appeal to an aquarium. Fresh Marine, one of the best online markets for aquarium products, offers several interesting species of Clams / Bivalve. However, prior to moving on to them, let us have a fundamental idea about the key features of Clams / Bivalve.

Compatibility. Clams / Bivalve are Reef Compatible, peaceful, and you can keep more than one Clams / Bivalve in a tank. Do not keep Clams / Bivalve with aggressive fish, especially Sharks and Squids, as the later may feed upon the former.

Habit & Habitat. Clams / Bivalve are Nocturnal in habit and exist in freshwater & shallow areas of Seas & Oceans in all the parts of the world. These Clams / Bivalve are quite sedentary in habit and settle down in groups, at the bottom of the water body they are living in, or burrow into the sand and mud or any other anchor they are able to bore through. Some Clams / Bivalve can swim along the water current with the valves tightly closed together.

Morphology. Clams / Bivalve are quite hardy creatures, which are extremely beautiful due to their beautiful body and striking colors. Clams / Bivalve consist of a Bivalve Shell held together with the help of a hinge joint and an external or internal ligament. The two Adductor Muscles facilitate the opening and closing of a Clams / Bivalve shell. The Bilaterally symmetrical body of Clams / Bivalve lacks head, and eyes, while it has a Mouth, Siphons, Heart, Kidneys, an Anus, and a Foot.

Ideal Marine Aquarium Environment. Clams / Bivalve grow well in an established Reef Type Marine Aquarium with a very high water quality consistently. Your tank should have a temperature range of 72-78°F; Specific Gravity of 1.023-1.025; and pH level of water within 8.1-8.4. Ensure that your tank has ample burrowing places (Rocks, Caves, Coral Rubble, & Sand) for Clams / Bivalve. Owing to their sedentary lifestyle, Clams / Bivalve prefer moderate water movement in an aquarium. Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for Clams / Bivalve growth, keep its level no less than 2mg/liter of water.

Aquarium Feeding. Clams / Bivalve are Planktivorous and they filter feed upon Zooplankton. They require Calcium, Strontium, Iodine, and Trace Elements to keep their shell intact. In addition, Clams / Bivalve have a Photosynthetic Alga, Zooxanthellae, residing in their mantle. The food prepared by the alga is the source of nutrition for Clams / Bivalve.

Aquarium Breeding. Clams / Bivalve are cultured in laboratories.

Care. Clams / Bivalve are moderately difficult to maintain and should be handled only by experienced aquarists.

Let us now look at some of the best selling Clams / Bivalve options available at Fresh Marine.

Genus – Tridacna.

Derasa Clam Cultured (Tridacna derasa). Also known as Smooth Giant Clam and Southern Giant Clam, these Clams / Bivalve occur in Brown, Tan, Yellow, Orange, Green, Black, White, and Blue colors. Growing up to a maximum of 20” in size, the thick Shell of these Clams / Bivalve have a smooth texture with six to seven vertical folds. The multicolored Mantle is patterned with wavy lines, dots, and/or spots.

Maxima Clam Colored (Tridacna maxima). Also known as Holy Grail of Reef Aquariums, Wild Ultra Blue Maxima, Ultra Maxima Clam, Great Clam, and Rugosa Clam, these Clams / Bivalve grow up to a maximum width of 20”. Occurring in Electric Blue, Black, White, Yellow, Purple, Gold, and Green colors. The two Shell Valves are asymmetrically long, with the anterior ends of the Shells being scaly.

Squamosa Clam Cultured (Tridacna squamosa). Also known as Scaled Clam, Fluted Clam, Fluted Giant Clam, and Scaly Clam, these Clams / Bivalve grow from 12”-15”. Occurring in Purple, Green, Gold, Black, Brown, Blue, and Yellow colors, these Clams / Bivalve have a spotted Black colored Mantle. The two shells of these Clams / Bivalve are symmetrical and have large scales, called Scutes, on the surface.

Crocea Clam (Tridacna crocea). Also known as Crocea Clam Cultured, Ultra Crocea Clam, Boring Clam, and Crocus Clam, these Clams / Bivalve grow up to a size of approximately 20cms. Occurring in Electric Blue, Brown, Purple, Yellow, and Green colors, these Clams / Bivalve have a thick Shell, with its ridges resembling a file. The anterior end of the Shell has thin scales. These Clams / Bivalve are better placed on a Live Rock.

Genus – Lima.

Electric Scallop (Lima species). Also known as Electric Eye Flashing Scallop, Electric Flame Scallop, Red Electric Flame Scallop, Flame Scallop, and File Shell Clam, these Clams have a diameter of around 3”-5”. The Shells are off white in color and have bumpy surface. These Clams / Bivalve occurring in Red, Pink, and Tan colors, are great add on to enhance the visual appeal of your tank. The Mantle is striking Red in color having a bright Blue colored membrane, imparting an impression of electric current flowing through the oral cavity of these Clams / Bivalve. The bright Red, thin & feathery Tentacles are present on the Mantle, and stick out of the protective shell. Nitrates and Copper may prove lethal for these Clams / Bivalve.

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