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You are here: Home / Invertebrates / Captive Bred Inverts / Keeping Hippopus Clams
wild hippopus clams

Keeping Hippopus Clams

by Kenneth Wingerter

Particularly since the advent of clam farming, tridacnid clams (Family Tridacninae) have been steadily gaining both in popularity and presence within the aquarium hobby. They were once only available as wild-caught, were exceptionally delicate and were thus appropriate only for the most experienced of aquarists; nowadays, farm-raised specimens are in regular production, have proven markedly hardier and are thus more broadly appropriate for all but beginning hobbyists.

There are 12-13 extant species of tridacnid clams in two genera, namely Hippopus and Tridacna. For sure, Hippopus clams are far less known and much more rare in the hobby than their Tridacna kin. Indeed, to this day, it is unusual to see Hippopus in an aquarium shop. This article sheds a bit more light on these hard-to-find beauties.

Natural history

Hippopus Clam ShellThe genus Hippopus claims two species, H. hippopus (also known as the bear paw clam) and H. porcellanus (also known as the China clam). The latter species is the rarer of the two in the aquarium trade. 

Hippopus clams may be encountered in the wild from the eastern Indian Ocean to western Australia and southern Japan (though H. porcellanus is mainly concentrated in the southwest Pacific). While they inhabit a variety of shallow (i.e. brightly lit) environments such as algal beds and seagrass meadows, they prefer sandy or gravelly reef flats.

In terms of maximum adult size, Hippopus species are somewhere in the middle of Tridacna. One notable distinction between Hippopus and Tridacna is that the former (especially in the adult stage) attaches to the substrate much less securely. While hippopus clams do lay down a few byssal threads (including mature specimens), they rely mainly on the weight of their big bodies to keep them in place.

Compared to Tridacna, the Hippopus mantle only reaches the upper edge of the shell. That is, it does not extend beyond the edge of the shell as in Tridacna. Also, in contrast to its cousins, the inhalant siphon (the opening where water is drawn into the body chamber) lacks tentacles around its margin (though it may have a rough edge). The exhalant siphon (the opening where water exits the body) has a comparatively lower profile than Tridacna and is more or less a bump with a small hole in it.

Hippopus Clams In the aquarium

For years, farmers focused on the flashy species from the genus Tridacna. And without a doubt, this effort was worthwhile, as these varieties (such as the blue or purple color morphs of T. maxima) are truly stunning. But, thankfully, farms have looked beyond the gaudy, eye-catching species and worked on some of the lesser seen tridacnid species such as those from the genus Hippopus. Though not as fancy as some of their glamorous relatives at first glance, hippopus clams are quite attractive and exotic looking in a way that grows on you more and more over time. 

captive bred bear claw Hippopus clamsTheir mantle is often golden hued with yellow squiggly lines, superficially resembling that of T. derasa. That being said, there is considerable variation of coloration in both species. Some bear a deep blue or green base color. Because the mantle is restricted to the span between the edge of the shell valves, the animal looks a little more “clammy” than its Tridacna counterparts. In fact, it looks somewhat split apart when gaping open. 

While some aquarists like the more flowy, oversized mantle of Tridacna, there’s something to be said of Hippopus in that it exposes and show off more of its handsome shell. Because its shell valves are highly symmetrical, the shell can (unlike some Tridacna species) close very tightly.

Another thing aquarists (especially reefkeepers with crowded tanks) might like about hippopus clams is that they actually prefer to rest on the tank floor over the substrate. Placing them is as simple as letting them settle onto an unshaded spot on the sand bed. It is, of course, always a good idea to ensure that frags and other poorly secured objects on the hardscape cannot fall onto them.

While Hippopus likes fairly bright light, it is not quite as picky in this regard as are T. maxima or T. crocea, for example. However, because of its ideal placement on the tank bottom, powerful aquarium lighting is strongly recommended (especially when kept in taller tanks).

Though the animal will obtain most of its food energy from its zooxanthellae, it benefits from frequent additions of quality live phytoplankton such as OceanMagik.

Conclusion

Hippopus clams offer something a little different than the “typical” tridacnid clam. They are most stark and robust in appearance. While their mantle colors are comparatively subdued, the rich, warm golden browns and beiges actually pop in an aquascape loaded with fluorescent purple and blue corals. The highly ornamental shell, mostly uncovered by the clam’s modest mantle, adds an interesting visual element to the tank bottom over a crisp white sand bed.

Best of all, now that these rarer gems are available as captive-bred, aquarists can show them off with relative ease of care!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. steve rivara says

    November 9, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    210 gallon

    Reply
  2. Kirby Hughes says

    April 19, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    Great info!

    Reply
  3. Scott Chase says

    April 19, 2021 at 2:25 pm

    Only one I ever ordered years ago was DOA, need to try again on this species

    Reply
  4. pweiss989 says

    April 19, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    Good info on this clam!!

    Reply
  5. Carlos Matias-Tejada says

    April 19, 2021 at 2:51 pm

    beautiful shaped clam!

    Reply
  6. Douglas Ward says

    April 19, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    Good info!

    Reply
  7. Patrick Pokrop says

    April 19, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    Interesting info about the hippo clam!

    Reply
  8. adubvu says

    April 19, 2021 at 4:06 pm

    So cool

    Reply
  9. shieldagent1 says

    April 19, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    Grear info

    Reply
  10. straitmartin says

    April 19, 2021 at 4:19 pm

    Nice!

    Reply
  11. shawn22vest says

    April 19, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    Very good read here!

    Reply
    • vmancine26 says

      April 19, 2021 at 5:55 pm

      This clam is differente from most and easy to care for

      Reply
  12. ANTHONY CANDELORA says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:06 pm

    Awsome looking clams

    Reply
  13. law says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:24 pm

    My wife like the color blue better.

    Reply
  14. joshirwin2 says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:25 pm

    So cool!

    Reply
  15. Ellery Wong says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:43 pm

    I’ve have my current Hippopus for almost 2 years so far. The one I have is not gold but greyish looking mantle. Would like to collect a few more color variants.

    Reply
  16. joshuastevens930 says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:46 pm

    Great read

    Reply
  17. Matthew Antolovich says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:59 pm

    Good info for Michelle #2

    Reply
  18. MrBacony says

    April 19, 2021 at 6:16 pm

    Interesting looking clam

    Reply
  19. dcreeron says

    April 19, 2021 at 7:16 pm

    Maxima or Deresa for me

    Reply
  20. Tim Brown says

    April 19, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    Too big for my 5 gallon nano.

    Reply
  21. Natalie Fernandez says

    April 19, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    The patterns of this clam sort of remind me of my orange lepto coral!

    Reply
  22. Joe Willis says

    April 20, 2021 at 5:40 am

    I’ve never heard about hippopus clams before. Great info!

    Reply
  23. David Cruz says

    April 20, 2021 at 6:55 am

    Nice article!

    Reply
  24. heatherlv31 says

    April 20, 2021 at 7:32 am

    Great info

    Reply
  25. Jen FE DE LEON says

    April 20, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    They have such a different shape than the other clams available, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  26. Daniel Lenger says

    April 20, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    always wanted to try these guys

    Reply
  27. Charles Folstrom says

    April 20, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    Always great info

    Reply
  28. mitch.turner31 says

    April 21, 2021 at 12:04 pm

    Awesome

    Reply
  29. Catherine says

    April 22, 2021 at 7:01 am

    Interesting!

    Reply
  30. Jennifer Kennedy says

    April 22, 2021 at 7:14 pm

    I’ve never seen these before they have a very pretty porcelain looking shell, would be a beautiful contrast with a black sand substrate

    Reply
  31. laustinthought says

    April 22, 2021 at 7:28 pm

    Helpful

    Reply
  32. laustinthought says

    April 22, 2021 at 7:28 pm

    Helpful

    Reply
  33. jrosscollins87 says

    April 24, 2021 at 5:34 am

    Good stuff

    Reply
  34. Steve Miller says

    April 24, 2021 at 1:09 pm

    I’ve never seen these before

    Reply
  35. Douglas Jordan says

    April 26, 2021 at 3:34 pm

    Only a true pro can keep this

    Reply
  36. Michael Ehret says

    April 26, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    interesting info!

    Reply
  37. Amanda Rasberry says

    April 26, 2021 at 6:16 pm

    Good Info

    Reply
  38. coleman.j85 says

    April 26, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    No way…

    Reply
  39. Daniel says

    April 26, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    Just here for the price

    Reply
  40. thillock says

    April 26, 2021 at 10:34 pm

    Not one of my favorite clams

    Reply
  41. hsmith5411 says

    April 26, 2021 at 11:46 pm

    Nice!

    Reply
  42. Tejas Nair says

    April 27, 2021 at 2:35 am

    Wow I have never seen these in person before!

    Reply
  43. Erik Larsen says

    April 27, 2021 at 5:17 am

    Would love to get my hands on one

    Reply
  44. Nick Seunath says

    April 27, 2021 at 6:04 am

    Nice

    Reply
  45. shrimppyshrimp says

    April 27, 2021 at 6:32 am

    Nice clam

    Reply
  46. pastort.a.sherman says

    April 27, 2021 at 11:28 am

    Interesting

    Reply
  47. kmwagner91 says

    April 27, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    Nice!

    Reply
  48. Travis Lund says

    April 27, 2021 at 4:03 pm

    Way too big for my tank. Would love to see a full size one!

    Reply
  49. [email protected] says

    April 27, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    Great article

    Reply
  50. jumpin.jack says

    April 27, 2021 at 4:46 pm

    These sound like some cool rarer clams

    Reply
  51. alio1220000 says

    April 28, 2021 at 1:16 am

    Great read

    Reply
  52. Jahn Garcia says

    April 28, 2021 at 6:08 am

    Time for mine

    Reply
  53. co.reau says

    April 28, 2021 at 9:50 am

    This is fantastic information

    Reply
  54. Juan Perez says

    April 28, 2021 at 10:58 am

    So much stuff i didn’t know.

    Reply
  55. reefbeard says

    April 28, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    Clamtastic!!!

    Reply
  56. obwhan says

    April 28, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    I need a bigger tank

    Reply
  57. KRISTA FROST says

    April 29, 2021 at 4:12 pm

    Too big

    Reply
  58. KRISTA FROST says

    April 29, 2021 at 4:12 pm

    Too big

    Reply
  59. Troy says

    May 1, 2021 at 6:20 am

    When are they going to be back in stock?

    Reply
  60. joshirwin2 says

    May 1, 2021 at 10:47 am

    I’ve learned so much from this giveaway!

    Reply
  61. Eric says

    May 2, 2021 at 10:12 am

    I’ve been interested in these clams due to their unique shape, but their final size and weight has made me hesitant.

    Reply

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