Don't take it out of water. Keep in mind that shipping is something extremely stressful on clams. What You See Is What You Get. Clams house an alga within their mantle called ZOOXANTHELLAE Figure 1 shows a fully grown Tridacna maxima, one species of pa’ua native to the Aitutaki lagoon. Tridacna Squamosa and Tridacna Derasa are the best clams for beginners, requiring lower light & water quality conditions to thrive. 2 days later in the sand bed and has been there for a month. The foot is covered in cilia (at least for T. crocea, T. maxima, T. squamosa and H. hippopus) and likely functions as a sensory organ—testing the surrounding substrate and orienting the clam (Jameson 1976). Maxima and Croc The liveaquaria rep said that people will sometimes affix the clam with epoxy until it has a chance to grab a hold with it's foot - but that just sounds like a really really bad idea. This small blue Tridacna maxima called out to me and I put it at the very top of the tank for a few months. as like the maxima it attaches to the rock and price wise they run normally 25-40$ Clam mantle color - lighting needs: Clams with brown mantles do not require as much light as those with blue mantles, usually, and are considered easier to keep in the home aquarium lighting wise. Depending on the color and grade. T here are several species of clam belonging to the family Tridacnidae, which are best known as the tridacnids or giant clams. Clams house an alga within their mantle called ZOOXANTHELLAE The Maxima Clam will generally reach a maximum of about 12" in length in a large enough aquarium, though in the wild Maxima clam's have reached over 16 inches. Buy from the clam experts. Put it up top, because I thought going from a MH light to 4x39W T5 would be stressful and not enough light. Also known as Clams, Common Giant Clam, Elongated Clam, Elongate Giant Clam, Elongated Giant Clam, Giant Clam, Maxima Clam, Maxima Giant Clam, Molluscs, Rugose Clam, Small Giant Clam, Tridacna Clam, Tridacna Giant Clam. The giant clams (bivalves) of real interest fall into two genera; those being Tridacna and Hippopus. What You See Is What You Get. Mussels breathe much like fish: gills located on each side of their muscular foot that helps the clam move and as well anchor itself in substrates (this foot being located in between both of its shells). Size of organism - inches: 17.7 inches (45.01 cm) - Commonly reach 12" though can reach 17.7 over 60 to 70 years. Keeping Tridacna Clams Healthy and growing in a reef aquarium requires a similar system of care to that of SPS corals. Keep in mind that shipping is something extremely stressful on clams. Crocea, is a moderate lighting clam. They feed on plankton. According to The Reef Aquarium Volume One, Squamosa Clams are known to form hybrids with the Crocea Clam T. crocea and the Maxima Clam T. maxima. Guaranteed free of pyramid snails, no gaping, responsive, a healthy foot, a shell the aligns properly, and no pinched mantle issues. 4.Pigment cells give these clams its attractive colors. Best to ask to have it bagged inside the tank, under water. Maxima, crocrea clams require strong light and harder to keep. When they are content with their location, they will attach themselves to the site by means of byssus threads which are secreted from the foot. (the foot) If only the threads have been damaged chances are good it will recover, it the byssal gland has been damaged this could be fatal. Once the clam has attached itself, it is recommended that you do not separate the clam from its attached base. 5/13/04 - A baby Maxima clam. Commonly available species include Maxima, Crocea, Deresa, and Squamosa. Colors and patterns vary greatly between the different species and within species. The small giant clam (Tridacna maxima), maxima clam, great clam, or elongate giant clam is a species of bivalve mollusk found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Cultured clams do well in most well established reef aquariums. Sexually mature in 3 to 5 years at around 6 to 7" in length. No reaction = most likely a sick clam). The colors of small giant clam are so attractive. Put your hand over the light. The Maxima Clam will generally reach a maximum of about 12" in length in a large enough aquarium, though in the wild Maxima clam's have reached over 16 inches. Derasa clams are not as pretty but require less light and they are hardier.