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| FAQs about Behavior of Giant Clams, family Tridacnidae Related Articles: Got Tridacna? A beginner's guide to keeping Tridacnid clams by Laurie Smith, Example Chapter from NMA Reef Invertebrates book, on Giant Clams, Tridacnids, A Brief Guide to the Selection and Placement of Tridacnid Clams by Barry Neigut, Bivalves, Mollusks, Lighting Marine Invertebrates, Related FAQs: Tridacnids 1, Tridacnids 2, Tridacnids 3, Tridacnids 4, Tridacnid Clam Business, Tridacnid Identification, Tridacnid Behavior, Tridacnid Selection, Tridacnid Compatibility, Tridacnid Systems, Tridacnid Lighting, Tridacnid Placement, Tridacnid Feeding, Tridacnid Disease, Tridacnid Reproduction, Bivalves, Bivalves 2, Lighting Marine Invertebrates, | 
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Coral identification & gigas clam shell formation question 9/23/08
WetWeb Staff,
First I just wanted to say thank you for providing such a wonderful service.
<Welcome>
I just have two quick questions. First, regarding dendrophyllia, I purchased a few heads from two different online vendors and can only positively identify one colony as dendrophyllia. I suspect that the second colony might be Tubastrea, but I am really not sure. I was hoping that you wouldn't mind taking a look at the picture attached and offer your best guess as to what the second colony is. I know that the only true way to determine the species is to examine the skeleton, but your best guess would be greatly appreciated.
<The photo sent appear to be of the genus Dendrophyllia>
My second question is concerning the growth of my gigas clam. Once again, this was an animal acquired from an online vendor. I have had it for just about 3 months now and it is doing fine. I have noticed about a half inch
of new growth, but what concerns me is the unusual shape of the shell. I'm guessing that since the clam is doing so well, I really don't need to worry about it, but I am curious to know if the growth pattern has a chance of
harming the clam as it grows larger. Pictures are attached for your review.
<Not to worry... growth will slow, the shell change a bit going forward>
Thanks in advance for your response, and thanks once again for providing invaluable service.
Marc
<Again, welcome. Bob Fenner> |  |
Jumpy Clam 9/12/08
Hi,
I hope you can help me with a jumpy clam. It is a 2" Crocea. I got it about a month ago. I have 2 other Croceas that I have had over a year that have grown at least 2" each. I put the new one in about the same lighting situation the others are in. I have a 250 MH light & lots of rock.
All water tests perfect except nitrates just at .05.
<.05?>
My problem is that he starts to put his foot down & the light goes on or off, a fish swims by or maybe I feed the fish & he jerks & pulls the foot back in. About 95 % of the time he does this so hard that he shoots right off the rock. Finally today I put him in a small clear glass ramekin with sand and a small flat piece of coral imbedded about 1/2 way down in the sand. My question is this how long can he stay that way?
<A while considering all else is well.>
I tried to put the small piece of coral rock right under him but he kept falling over into the sand, mantle down. I am at a loss as what to do for this guy. I could see it if he wasn't happy with where he was placed, but this jumping/flinching, I just don't see a way to get around that.
What do you suggest??
<For the time being I would place him in the sand with the small rock or even a shell beneath the clam. This will give it something to attach to and a stable place to acclimate without jumping or falling off. After a few weeks with all being fine, you can then place it higher up, a bit at a time.>
So far he is still opening quickly after being moved and his mantle opens quite far but I don't think that too much more of this will be good.
<No, the constant moving and related stress will take its toll.>
Thanks for any help or suggestions you might have
Tina Taylor
<Welcome, Scott V.>
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