HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR TRIDACNA CLAM

Tridacna Clam Care



Giant clams of the Genus Tridacna are a popular mollusk in reef aquariums. It is not difficult to understand why these clams are so popular in the reef-keeping hobby. Tridacna clams have mantles with intricate patterns and a dazzling array of colors. I’ve seen clams that are purple, blue, green, yellow, and even some even have iridescent qualities.

Tridacna clams are found all throughout the Pacific. The four most readily available species of Tridacna clams are derasa, squamosa, maxima, and crocea. In rare instances one might find the giant clam, Tridacna gigas. There are actually two other species that are not in the aquarium trade namely T. tevoroa and T. costata which is a new species discovered in the Red Sea.


Anatomy

Without getting too much into an anatomy lesson, there are some key features of Tridacna clams that should be noted.

As mentioned above, they have brilliantly colored mantles. The mantles are filled with zooxanthellae much like photosynthetic coral. Zooxanthellae are dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. They collect inorganic compounds from both the host mollusk and seawater to produce organic molecules (carbohydrates, amino acids, and glycerol) by way of photosynthesis. The organic molecules are then passed back to the host and provide nutrition to the clam allowing for rapid growth. Early in a clam’s life the quantity of zooxanthellae is limited so they rely more on filter feeding. It is estimated that smaller clams get 65% of total carbon from filter feeding. Larger clams only get 34% of their total carbon from filter feeding indicating a much greater reliance on photosynthesis.

Clams have two siphons that move water in and out of its body. There is a large Inhalant siphon lined by fine tentacles. When it opens wide, you can catch a glimpse of the clam’s gills. The water then is expelled through a smaller exhalant siphon. The gills of the clams are interesting in that they are used for both respiration and feeding.

At the base of the clam is a foot by which it attaches to the substrate. There is also a byssal organ that excretes a thin byssal threads to anchor it into place. It is critically important that the aquarist does not damage the foot or the byssal gland moving a clam from one place to another. It is easy to damage the byssal organ and if it happens, chances are the clam will die. Once a clam is anchored to a rock it is best to move the clam and rock together.


Telling clams apart

Now that we’ve covered the common anatomical features of Tridacna clams, how do we tell the different clams apart?


Tridacna maxima and Tridacna crocea

Maxima clams and Crocea clams are the most popular variety of Tridacna clams. They have dazzling colored mantles with intricate patterns. Maximas and Croceas are very similar in appearance and often confused to. The difference in the two is that maxima clams are slightly elongated in shape while croceas are more stout and stubby.

Crocea clams are called boring clams because they are able to dissolve the nearby coral substrate leaving only their mantle visible. At their base they can secrete a mild acid that over the years erodes the calcium carbonate substrate kind of like how a calcium reactor dissolves media.

Like just about every sessile organism on the reefs, clams are looking to clear out real estate for their personal growth. Some have observed that not only are clams capable of releasing a mild acid at their base to bore down into rock, they are also capable of releasing acid through their extended mantle to kill off nearby coral.


Tridacna derasa

Derasa clams typically have a golden colored mantle with streaks of teal and a vibrant blue rim. In comparison to maxima and crocea clams, derasa clams get massive. It is not uncommon to have a derasa grow to over 20” in a home aquarium. They are considered one of the more hardy clams making it an ideal choice for a first time clam enthusiast.


Tridacna squamosa

While less common than the other three clams, the occasional squamosa can be found. Squamosa clams have muted coloration in comparison to maxima and croceas but have a distinctive fluted shell. While maximas, croceas, and derasas have somewhat smooth shells, the squamosa has pronounced scales that are quite attractive in their own right.


Clam Care Requirements

Care requirements for these clams are similar to corals in that they require good light, good water quality, and good water flow. If there were one area to focus on however, it would be light. Tridacna clams are found in shallow areas and require high light, especially as they get older and rely less and less on feeding. As a general guideline, clams smaller than 3” would benefit from phytoplankton supplementation.

Second to lighting is the need to maintain tip-top water chemistry. High calcium and alkalinity are a must. Clams are known for fast growth rates and deplete calcium and alkalinity aggressively to power this growth.

As for flow, these clams prefer moderate flow despite originating from shallow areas on the reef that receive heavy wave action. The concern with high flow in the aquarium is the risk of introducing bubbles into the body that the clam cannot effectively eliminate.


Conservation

This genus of clams is listed as a vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In years past, overfishing brought these clams to the brink of extinction but this is one of the best cases for aquaculture efforts. Clams are every bit as popular now for food, and for the ornamental trade but because they are being aquacultured they are much less at risk of going extinct.

We have not attempted any sort of aquaculture of clams because we are not set up for it, but I would love to build a facility down the line that specializes in this. I think clams are just amazing.



Than Thein