• Skip to main content
AlgaeBarn

AlgaeBarn

Marine Aquariums Made Easy!

  • Sign In
  • Cart
    • Shop See All
      • Ultimate Packs See All
      • Ultimate Refugium Starter
      • Clam Keeper Kits
      • Ultimate Ecopack
      • Mandarin Feeder Kit
      • Hair Algae Killer Kit
      • See All Ultimate Packs
      • Live Foods See All
      • Copepods
        • Ecopods
        • 5280 Pods
        • Galaxy Pods
        • Poseidon's Feast
        • Tisbe Pods
        • Tig Pods
      • Food Combos
        • Ecopods & Phyto
        • Galaxy Pods & Phyto
        • Poseidon's & Phyto
        • Tig Pods & Phyto
        • Tisbe Pods & Phyto
      • Phytoplankton
        • Oceanmagik
      • Brine Shrimp
        • Simple Brine
        • Nano Brine Shrimp
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Galaxy Pods 5 Species Copepod Blend

          Galaxy Pods

          $66 – $139
          Shop Now
        • Ecopods 4 Pack Special

          $99
          Shop Now
        • Galaxy Pods & Phyto Combo

          $80
          Shop Now
        • 5280 Pods

          $45
          Shop Now
      • Macroalgae See All
      • Clean Macro Series
        • Clean Chaeto
        • Clean Sea Lettuce
        • Clean Green Ogo
        • Clean Mocha Ogo
        • Clean Mocha Spike Sphere
        • Pom Pom
        • Red Ogo
        • Red Spike Sphere
        • Red Spaghetti
        • Red Mangrove
      • Premium Rare Macro
        • Leafy Ogo
        • Blue Hypnea
        • Dragon's Tongue
        • Thick Ogo
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Clean Chaeto

          $40 – $125
          Shop Now
        • Clean Sea Lettuce

          $30 – $95
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • Red Ogo

          $30 – $80
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • Red Mangrove

          $13
          Shop Now
      • Captive Bred Fish See All
      • Gobies
        • Green Mandarin
        • Court Jester Goby
        • Watchman Goby
        • White Spotted Goby
      • AngelFish
        • Biota Coral Beauty
        • Maculosus Angel
        • Majestic Angel
        • Swallowtail Angel
      • Tangs
        • Yellow Tang
        • Blue Tang
      • More Species
        • Grammas
        • FileFish
        • Blennies
        • Damsel
        • ClownFish
        • RabbitFish
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Blue Mandarin

          BIOTA Green Mandarin

          $99
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • ORA Neon Goby

          $35
          Shop Now
        • Captive Bred Yellow Tangs by BIOTA

          BIOTA Yellow Tang

          $239
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • ORA Premium Picasso

          $145 – $300
          Shop Now
      • Captive Bred Invertebrates See All
      • Clams
        • Ora Derasa Clam
        • Squamosa Clam
        • Ora Gigas Clam
        • Ora Maxima Clam
        • Ora Hippopus Clam
      • Shrimp
        • Ora Peppermint Shrimp
        • Harlequin Shrimp
      • Snails
        • Cerith Snails
        • Trochus Snail
        • Nassarius Snails
      • Urchins
        • Ora Tuxedo Urchin
        • Ora Pincushion Urchin
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Animated gif of peppermint shrimp

          Peppermint Shrimp

          $49 – $119
          Shop Now
        • 10 Cerith Snails

          Cerith Snail

          $25 – $39
          Shop Now
        • pincushion urchin lytechinus variegatus reef safe and captive bred by ora for sale at algaebarn

          Pincushion Urchin

          $29 – $55
          Shop Now
        • Gold Maxima Clam Bed

          ORA Maxima Clam

          $80 – $150
          Shop Now
      • Corals See All
      • LPS Corals
        • Biota Pearl Bubble
        • ORA Pearl Bubble
        • ORA Marshall Island Goniopora
        • ORA Marshall Island Hammer
      • SPS Corals
        • ORA Pearlberry Acropora
        • ORA Micronesian Imperial Acropora
        • ORA Turquoise Acropora
        • ORA Micronesian Yellow Porites
      • Soft Corals
        • BIOTA White Polyp Toadstool
        • ORA Long Polyp Leather Coral
        • ORA Silver Xenia
        • ORA Pulsing Xenia
      • Frag Packs
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Biota Pearl Bubble Coral

          $65
          Shop Now
        • ORA Pearlberry Acropora

          $290
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • BIOTA White Polyp Toadstool

          $65
          Notify Me When in Stock
      • Additives & Bacteria See All
      • Live Cultures & Bacteria
        • Turbostart 900 Saltwater
        • Aquarium Cycle Kit
        • Coralline Algae
        • PNS Yellosno
        • PNS Probio™
      • Additives & Chemicals
        • Nitrocycle
        • Clarifier
        • Fritz A.C.C.R
        • Fritz RPM Salt
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Mandarin Feeder Kit by Algaebarn

          Mandarin Feeder Kit

          $66
          Shop Now
        • MarinePure 10 Cubes

          2″ Cubes

          $5 – $99
          Shop Now
        • Coralline Algae in a Bottle, In Pink or Purple!

          Coralline Algae

          $22 – $44
          Shop Now
        • Ultimate Refugium Starter Pack

          $120 – $450
          Shop Now
      • Aquarium Supplies See All
      • Fuge Lighting
        • AI Fuge 16HD Light
        • Kessil A360X Fuge Light
        • Kessil H160
        • Kessil H80
        • Chaetomax
      • Biomedia
        • Marinepure Gems
        • Marinepure Rocks
        • Marinepure Plate
        • Marinepure Cubes
        • Marinepure Spheres
      • Foods
        • Dragon Roe
        • Simple Brine
        • Can'O Cyclops
        • Benereef™
        • Fresco Cyclops
      • Rock & Sand
        • Dry Rock
        • Clam Rocks
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Mandarin Feeder Kit by Algaebarn

          Mandarin Feeder Kit

          $66
          Shop Now
        • MarinePure 10 Cubes

          2″ Cubes

          $5 – $99
          Shop Now
        • Coralline Algae in a Bottle, In Pink or Purple!

          Coralline Algae

          $22 – $44
          Shop Now
        • Ultimate Refugium Starter Pack

          $120 – $450
          Shop Now
      • CADE Aquariums See All
      • Reef Series
        • CADE REEF 500 S2
        • CADE REEF 600 S2
        • CADE REEF 900 S2
        • CADE REEF 1200 S2
        • CADE REEF 1500 S2
        • CADE REEF 1800 S2
        • CADE REEF 2100 S2
      • Frag Series
        • CADE Frag 600 S2/F
        • CADE Frag 900 S2/F
        • CADE Frag 1200 S2/F
        • CADE Frag 1500 S2/F
      • Peninsula Series
        • CADE Peninsula 1200 S2/P
        • CADE Peninsula 1500 S2/P
        • CADE Peninsula 1800 S2/P
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • CADE REEF 2100 S2

          $7,225
          Shop Now
        • CADE Peninsula 1500 S2/P

          $5,525
          Shop Now
        • CADE REEF 1200 S2

          $4,125
          Shop Now
        • CADE Frag 900 S2/F

          $3,275
          Shop Now
    • Contests Win Free Aquarium Supplies!
      No Purchase Necessary*
    • Top Deals Huge Savings!
    • AlgaeBarn Heroes Discount for Military,
      First Responders and more!
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shipping
You are here: Home / Invertebrates / Tridacna Clams / Are Giant Clams Reef Safe?

Are Giant Clams Reef Safe?

by Courtney Tavares

Giant clams are one of the most gorgeous and interesting creatures in our hobby! In this article, we will explain why Tridacnid clams are reef safe and how to decide if a giant clam is a good choice for your reef tank.

Clams of the Tridacnid family are absolutely reef safe! However, giant clams may not be good candidates for all reef tanks. There are several factors to consider if a giant clam is a good addition.

Reef keepers should take into account the size, maturity, and stability of the reef tank. There is also the issue of predatory invertebrates and fish. Some crabs, starfish, and triggerfish have been known to eat giant clams. We also want to look at our lighting and filtration equipment.

What Kind of Clam Will Do Best?

There are four members of the Tridacna clams that are common in the reef keeping hobby. They all have similar care requirements, but some are easier to keep than others. Tridacnids have the same biology and rely on zooxanthellae within their mantles as well as filter feeding. Almost everyone has been stopped in their tracks at the sight of the Tridacnid mantle! Many would be surprised to know that the fleshy and gorgeous mantle is hard at work producing nutrition for the animal.

The crocea clam is a beautiful and colorful clam also called a Boring Clam. Crocea gets this name as its natural behavior is to burrow itself between pieces of rock. Once it has attached itself to the rock, crocea clams will rapidly open and close its shell. This motion, in conjunction with the low profile scutes, actually bores into the rock. It also secretes an acid to soften the calcium carbonate in the rock! Fully grown crocea clams will measure about six inches in length.

Derasa clams are probably the easiest to keep out of all the Tridacnids. They can grow up to be giants, maxing out at around 24 inches! They do not tend to grow quite that large in average-sized home aquariums. However, they are very fast growers and have been known to triple in size in just one year. As they begin to mature, they will rely mostly on their own zooxanthellae for nutrition. A smaller derasa will need to receive regular feedings of phytoplankton if it is in a nutrient-poor reef tank.

The maxima clams are the hobby’s most popular tridacnids. Maxima’s have beautiful marbled and spotted patterns on their mantles. While they are one of the most gorgeous, maxima clams are not the easiest to keep. They are a little more demanding of placement and water flow. Maxima clams grow to be about eight inches at maturity.

Squamosa clams are one of the larger tridacnids. They can reach about eighteen inches in size. They are similar to derasa clams in terms of care. Squamosa clams are not as demanding with their lighting requirements. They are also not picky about the substrate. Squamosa have higher profile scutes on their shells. The mantles are generally neutral in coloration. Most are brown, tan, or yellow color with sparkling gold accents. However, the rarest squamosa color variants are blue-green and solid blue.

 

Are Clams hard to keep in a reef tank?

It is true that tridacnid clams are somewhat difficult to keep in captivity. Although, it is not impossible for tridacna clams to thrive in novice reefers’ care! For the reef keeper who is willing to put in the work, diligence will pay off. The two biggest challenges are maintaining the proper water parameters and adequate lighting. These invertebrates do have specific nutrient requirements that may be hard to retain. Nitrate is the most crucial for reef keepers. Many SPS collectors will aim for nitrate levels to be close to zero. However, nitrates at a range of 2 – 20 PPM are vital for keeping tridacna healthy. Clams will also draw calcium and alkalinity at a faster rate than corals. It is recommended that these levels are monitored closely. Automatic dosers should be properly calibrated and set to keep up with the tridacnids’ demands.

Tridacnids are also filter feeders with a complete digestive system. They use their inlet siphon to draw water in through the mantle. Tridacnids have organs called ctenidial food grooves or gills. The gills filter out the particulates. Nutrients then travel from the stomach to the intestine. At last, the waste is excreted through the excurrent siphon. In a well-stocked reef tank, there should be sufficient nutrients for mature clams. However, small clams or those in nutrient-poor reef tanks should be fed live phytoplankton. A clam can starve to death in a very short time. That is why we recommend regular feedings of OceanMagik.

Providing adequate lighting is the second most crucial component to keeping giant clams. Like most zooxanthellates, clams will need a period to adjust to changes in lighting. When clams are young and under two inches, they cannot tolerate intense lighting. Small clams and new clams should be placed low in the aquarium.

The ideal PAR will be somewhere between 250-500. However, depending on the nutrient level of the reef tank system that number could be higher or lower. Some have even had success keeping tridacnids at over 700 PAR. Remember, these beautiful creatures are sensitive to changes in lighting. The best course of action is very slow acclimation. Make tiny adjustments to the light intensity every 7-14 days.

Conclusion

To sum, giant clams are absolutely reef safe, but they do require diligent care.  We have gone over a few of the most crucial factors in deciding if a tridacnid clam is a good choice for the reef tank. AlgaeBarn always recommends regular live phytoplankton feedings in reef tank systems. Although it is especially recommended when tridacna are in the system.

We know more about the feeding behaviors of giant clams than ever before. Also, advances in aquaculture and mariculture practices have improved dramatically over the years. Thankfully, these gorgeous creatures will continue to be sustainably harvested for the hobby.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

A Closer Look at OceanMagik

Keeping The Reef Tank Happy and Healthy with OceanMagik In this post, we are going to revisit some of our favorite ways that OceanMagik Live Phytoplankton

Read More about A Closer Look at OceanMagik

Frequently Asked Questions: Keeping Giant Clams

At AlgaeBarn, we are always happy to hear from our customers and we often are asked a lot of questions about husbandry. Sometimes, we will see a trend in

Read More about Frequently Asked Questions: Keeping Giant Clams

AlgaeBarn is celebrating the octopus!

Everyone's favorite eight-armed mollusk is having its very own day! October 8th is Octopus Day, and what better way to celebrate than by learning a few fun

Read More about AlgaeBarn is celebrating the octopus!

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Browse the AlgaeLab by Category

  • Advanced Education
  • Beginners Education
  • CADE Aquariums
  • Captive Bred Fish
  • Clean Up Crew
  • Company News
  • Copepods
  • Corals
  • Freshwater
  • Freshwater Aquariums
  • Intermediate Education
  • Invertebrates
  • Live foods
  • Macroalgae
  • Our Oceans
  • Phytoplankton
  • Product Info
  • Refugium Education
  • Rock and Substrate
  • Saltwater Aquariums
  • Wholesale

Company

  • About Us
  • The AlgaeLab Blog
  • Our Team
  • Careers
  • FAQ

Get in Touch

  • Contact Us
  • AOA Claim Form
  • Press Inquiries
  • Call Us: 772-444-7637

Policies

  • Legendary AOA Guarantee
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Other

  • Store Locator
  • Wholesale & B2B inquired
  • Business Location

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our mission to build a more sustainable aquarium hobby, one tank at a time!

Copyright 2023, AlgaeBarn LLC - Live Copepods and Phytoplankton

0

Your Cart is Empty

adroll_adv_id = "RWFLKG57L5GR7KGYSOEUOK"; adroll_pix_id = "CH2QRUFHXZELLLCMHAB5GI"; adroll_version = "2.0"; adroll_current_page = "other"; adroll_currency = "USD"; adroll_language = "en_US";