Gigas clam on my sandbed

jimeluiz · 07-13-2005, 11:35 AM

We introduced a small gigas clam a few weeks ago. It is doing well, good growth - quite rapid. Its mantle looks great, healthy.

The thing is it won't stay on the rockwork. Every time I put it on a little shelf, assuming it will prefer sitting on rock over sitting on the dsb, it jumps off. Recently I put it on an old open brain skeleton with a bowl-like depression in the center hoping the clam would stay put on this more cupped platform, but hop, hop, hop... she is back on the sand.

Should I keep trying or let her be? What are the disadvantages of a clam resting on the dsb?

Eric · 07-13-2005, 12:20 PM

gigas like deep sand bed

and there is no disadvantages to it being on the sand bed as far as I know

I'd let it go hope this helps good luck

corvettephreek · 07-13-2005, 06:03 PM

i agree with eek, you want your clams to be on a SB. shell keep hopping off if youmove it, which may stress it out. just make sure there isnt any sand in or on her, as it will stress her out, and may even kill her. good luck!!!

jimeluiz · 07-13-2005, 07:00 PM

Silly me - I thought I read they prefer a rock base and that being on the sand put them at risk of parasites...

So much to learn!

Thanks.

Tarasco · 07-13-2005, 07:42 PM

Here's a chapter from Fenner and Calfo's book "Reef Invertebrates"

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BookMatte...cnids-demo.pdf

They basically say that they should be placed on a hard flat rock that you can bury in the sand. I've seen this done, but with oyster shells. HTH.

SueT · 07-14-2005, 07:15 PM

The gigas clam is a sand bed dweller as well as the derasa, squamosa and hippopus clam. The only rock dwellers that prefer the rocks are the crocea and maxima.

The gigas will be the most happy in the sand. There sure are some nice gigas clams out there right now. How bout a pic???

07-13-2005, 11:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
jimeluiz Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Niteroi, Brasil Posts: 829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Gigas clam on my sandbed We introduced a small gigas clam a few weeks ago. It is doing well, good growth - quite rapid. Its mantle looks great, healthy. The thing is it won't stay on the rockwork. Every time I put it on a little shelf, assuming it will prefer sitting on rock over sitting on the dsb, it jumps off. Recently I put it on an old open brain skeleton with a bowl-like depression in the center hoping the clam would stay put on this more cupped platform, but hop, hop, hop... she is back on the sand. Should I keep trying or let her be? What are the disadvantages of a clam resting on the dsb? __________________ Sold the tank prior to our move. Setting up our new life in Brazil.

07-13-2005, 06:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
corvettephreek Torch coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: northern california Posts: 562 View Gallery Karma Komment	i agree with eek, you want your clams to be on a SB. shell keep hopping off if youmove it, which may stress it out. just make sure there isnt any sand in or on her, as it will stress her out, and may even kill her. good luck!!! __________________ Will (aka Willy Stylez) Will Foley Rolling Audio Sacramento, CA Mobile audio and security solutions Advanced level MECP installer

07-13-2005, 07:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
jimeluiz Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Niteroi, Brasil Posts: 829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Silly me - I thought I read they prefer a rock base and that being on the sand put them at risk of parasites... So much to learn! Thanks. __________________ Sold the tank prior to our move. Setting up our new life in Brazil.

07-13-2005, 07:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tarasco Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 724 View Gallery Karma Komment	Here's a chapter from Fenner and Calfo's book "Reef Invertebrates" http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BookMatte...cnids-demo.pdf They basically say that they should be placed on a hard flat rock that you can bury in the sand. I've seen this done, but with oyster shells. HTH. __________________ Mike "I saw what the governor makes. That's like four hands of blackjack." -- Charles Barkley on why he wasn't seriously considering becoming the Governor of Alabama

07-14-2005, 07:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
SueT Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 650 View Gallery Karma Komment	The gigas clam is a sand bed dweller as well as the derasa, squamosa and hippopus clam. The only rock dwellers that prefer the rocks are the crocea and maxima. The gigas will be the most happy in the sand. There sure are some nice gigas clams out there right now. How bout a pic??? __________________ 120g sps/clam tank: http://berlinmethod.com/suet/ 2x250w 10k reeflux, actinic supplementation, mag12 return, 2 mjmods-1200, 2 mj1200 on wavemaker, kalk drip, ASM G3, 75+ spp. of acropora and montipora plating & encrusting sp. http://clamsdirect.com/phpbb2/

07-13-2005, 12:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Eric Neon dottyback Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 685 View Gallery Karma Komment	gigas like deep sand bed and there is no disadvantages to it being on the sand bed as far as I know I'd let it go hope this helps good luck

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