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Tridacna Clams Torquoise, Blue Tricacna ClamTridacna Maxima Photo: © Keith Berkelhamer Tridacna clams have become very popular reef aquarium inhabitants
lately. They are very beautiful and if given the right conditions will
thrive. There are about five species that are commonly offered for sale.
Julian Sprung and J. Charles Delbeeks' book, The
Reef Aquarium - Volumes One and
Two Check out these in-depth discussions of Tridacna Clams in the Fish & Chips newsletter:
Aquarium Care: Clams also require calcium (at least 280 mg/l but preferably up to 480 mg/l), strontium, and iodine for enhanced growth and color. Some fish, namely wrasses, should be watched when put into a tank containing tridacna clams. The Twin Spot Wrasse (Coris aygula) and the Bird Wrasse (Gomphosus varius) have been known to attack and eat clams. Other predators include large crabs, some shrimp (Marble shrimp; Saron marmoratus, Buffalo shrimp; Saron sp., rarely the Cleaner shrimp, Lysmata amboinensis), and parasitic snails that are usually present on the clam when you buy it.
The Giant Clam is usually blue, golden brown, yellow or green. They have lots of iridescent spots all over the mantle, but more concentrated on the edges. Grows to a maximum length of 1.5 meters (4 ft.). Very large.
Probably the most colorful (this picture does not do the clam justice) clam it burrows into the reef making it hard to remove. It comes in a variety of colors, (blue, purple, green, brown, gold) with different colored iridescent spots or lines. This clam needs very intense light. Grows to a maximum length of 22 cm (9 inches).
Photo © Animal-World Generally has striped or wavy line pattern. Colors include brown, light green, orange, yellow, blue, and white. It occurs naturally at greater depths than Crocea, 4-10 meters (12 to 33 ft.) and requires less light. Grows to a maximum length of 50 cm (20 inches). More info in Fish & Chips:
Photo: Keith Berkelhamer Tridacna Maxima looks a lot like Crocea. It comes in a variety of colors, (blue, purple, green, brown, gold) with different colored iridescent spots or lines. The biggest difference is the shell. T. maxima has a more elongated shell, usually 3 times longer than it is wide. The scutes on the outside of the shell are more pronouned and cover more of the shell in T. maxima than in T. crocea. This clam needs intense light. It will grow to a maximum length of 35 cm (14 inches). More info in Fish &
Chips Newsletter:
Photo: Keith Berkelhamer Tridacna squamosa's are most commonly found with a brown mantle with many golden brown or yellow wavy lines. The mantle can be high in color with green and blue spotted varieties. T. squamosa's reach a maximum length of 16 inches (40 cm). More info in Fish &
Chips Newsletter:
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describe seven species in all. This book is the best reference
that we know of on Tridacna clams.
