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You are here: Home / Other / Do Giant Clams Eat Phytoplankton?
Giant clam in the wild - Maxima Clam

Do Giant Clams Eat Phytoplankton?

by greg.chernoff

Particularly for aquarium animals, the giant clams (Tridacna and Hippopus spp.) attain impressive sizes. They are, in fact, among the largest of all invertebrate animals. The group claims the most massive living marine bivalve mollusk species. Some giant clams really are gigantic; THE giant clam, T. gigas, can weigh in at well over 400 pounds and live for a century. These strange and beautiful creatures do not become hulks overnight. Still, their growth rates are pretty high, especially considering where they live. They undoubtedly owe their rapid growth to their broad, and somewhat opportunistic, feeding strategy.

Giant Clams Have a Diverse Palate

A beuatiful maxima clam in the wild

Coral reefs are typically very nutrient-poor environments. A good meal just doesn’t come easy on a reef. Many animals there adapt by specializing on a particular food source whereas a few others such as giant clams become highly inclusive.

Tridacnids are somewhat unusual among their bivalve brethren in that they form mutualistic relationships with endosymbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae). These zooxanthellate algae (the same species that live in “photosynthetic” corals, actually) reside mainly in the clam’s outer mantle tissue where they have best access to sunlight. During the daylight hours, the clam opens its shell widely and exposes its mantle to the sun. The algae (in return for getting a great place to live) provide a substantial amount of the carbon that is assimilated or respired by the clam–something like 34% for mature individuals and 65% for very young individuals.

Some experts insist that (along with nutrients taken up directly from the surrounding waters via special epithelial tissues) it is possible for tridacnids to survive indefinitely off of the fuel produced by their zooxanthellae. To be clear, the clam’s association with the photosymbiont is obligate. Even so, it appears that giant clams prefer a rather varied diet. One might even consider them to be omnivorous. Aside from that produced by their symbionts or absorbed from the waters, all of a giant clam’s food is obtained by regular ol’ bivalve filter feeding. Though (even heavily fed) tridacnid clams cannot survive solely by filter feeding, the foods they capture seem to contribute significantly to their growth and development.

A whole lot of things can be found in a giant clam gut. These items are all miniscule in size (mostly within 2-50 microns); they are, however, highly varied in composition. Gut contents range from detritus to tiny zooplankton and bacterioplankton. Tridacnids even consume unneeded zooxanthellae. But a substantial portion of the suspended material that giant clams capture and eat consists of assorted phytoplankton. This shouldn’t be all that surprising as many of the giant clam’s closest relatives (e.g. mussels) live almost entirely on phytoplankton. And let’s not forget that
phytoplankton is incredibly nutritious!

[Phyto]

Microveggies and Macronutrients

Phytoplankton is indeed some wholesome stuff. While the specific content of each species varies a bit, phyto is generally complete and well-balanced nutritionally. It also includes a host of essential vitamins (e.g. vitamin C), many of which cannot be synthesized by animals. For tridacnid clams and all planktivores, phytoplankton is especially valuable for its high long-chain fatty acid content. While these unsaturated fatty acids can be utilized as an energy source, they are required by the feeding animal (which cannot produce them itself) to maintain proper cell structure. Marine phytoplankton are a huge source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential components in the diets of pretty much all marine animals.

Thus, while phyto is not necessarily required to satisfy a giant clam’s energy needs, it does act as a rich vitamin/dietary supplement. And it even provides a little roughage (i.e. cellulose) for the
animal’s digestive system.

Feeding your Captive Bivalves

If you keep giant clams in captivity, you will definitely want to try dosing phyto. Lots of other inverts, including a wide range of corals, will appreciate the feedings as well. Where feedings
are frequent, it may be possible to keep other (yet obligately phytoplanktivorous) bivalves such as certain oysters and scallops. Tridacnid clams certainly do not mind generous feedings so
long as the aquarium filter system is adequate and water is replaced often. For maximal nutrition, for minimal waste and for best palatability, a live phytoplankton product is ideal. Better yet if it is a live microalgal product such as OceanMagik phytoplankton that includes a nutritionally complementary mix of phyto species. A tridacnid clam’s diet can be further enhanced with the live bacterioplankton in  PNS Probio™ which is rich in probiotics, vitamins, protein and carotenoids.

Put simply, you will not succeed in keeping giant clams unless you provide them with an intense, full-spectrum lighting system such as the Kessil h380. Tridacnids depend upon their zooxanthellae, and the zooxanthellae depend upon bright illumination.

That being said, tridacnid clams do eat phyto. And they love it. Younger, smaller, fast-growing specimens in particular appreciate the additional source of energy, protein, vitamins, fatty acids,
etc. Considering how beautiful and delicate they are, and how long they can potentially live, it is worth the small effort to provide your captive giant clams with a complete diet. And regularly
using live phyto is certainly the first step in that direction!

[Phyto]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Asad Khan says

    November 25, 2019 at 2:46 pm

    I didn’t know that clams needed the same full-spectrum lighting that the Kessil H380 provides. Very interesting!

    Reply
  2. Asad Khan says

    November 25, 2019 at 2:54 pm

    I did not know that clams used the same full-spectrum lighting as plants.

    Reply
  3. Asad Khan says

    November 25, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    Awesome article guys!

    Reply
  4. Asad Khan says

    November 25, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    Very informative!

    Reply
  5. Kelly Tompkins says

    November 25, 2019 at 3:18 pm

    I hope to be a clam owner some day. They are so pretty too. I wonder how long live plankton c as n live in a reef tank.

    http://bit.ly/2PTnrN2

    Reply
  6. Asad Khan says

    November 25, 2019 at 3:28 pm

    Great article (attempt #5)

    Reply
  7. Bethany Souza says

    November 25, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    I’ve been thinking about getting a giant clam. I got acouple regular clams that’s have been in my tank since the beginning

    Reply
  8. Jonathan says

    November 25, 2019 at 6:11 pm

    Phyto is great, but just slowly ramp up the amount you feed.

    Reply
  9. Nickn says

    November 25, 2019 at 6:35 pm

    I plan on dosing my tank with phyto

    Reply
  10. Mike Mijarez says

    November 25, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    Wow simply amazing

    Reply
  11. robert vice says

    November 25, 2019 at 9:44 pm

    I did know till talking to you guys yesterday I’ve used oceanmagic everyday for quite a while never have muck luck with small maximas but sports fed them today for the first time

    Reply
  12. Kinue says

    November 25, 2019 at 11:33 pm

    Facinating!

    Reply
  13. dartagnon_1965 says

    November 26, 2019 at 3:19 am

    These are interesting!

    Reply
  14. F Fudge says

    November 26, 2019 at 6:24 am

    Those clams are impressive. Great work on the bkog

    Reply
  15. Joe car says

    November 26, 2019 at 6:53 am

    Thank you for the information

    Reply
  16. Becky says

    November 26, 2019 at 7:04 am

    Phyto is the key to everything in the tank. Basic building blocks.

    Reply
  17. Liz McDaneld says

    November 26, 2019 at 11:47 am

    Super informative read.

    Reply
  18. Wilfredo Robles says

    November 26, 2019 at 12:06 pm

    i love this article but ill wait on clams

    Reply
  19. Cassandre-Leigh Klaasen says

    November 26, 2019 at 12:20 pm

    Guess I’ll be ordering lots of phyto from you guys !!

    Reply
  20. phyllis owens says

    November 26, 2019 at 2:09 pm

    didn’t know that, great article

    Reply
  21. polygonreef says

    November 26, 2019 at 5:17 pm

    That’s huge!!!

    Reply
  22. polygonreef says

    November 26, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    That’s a large clam!

    Reply
  23. polygonreef says

    November 26, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    I love how clams can get this big!

    Reply
  24. polygonreef says

    November 26, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    Wow big!

    Reply
  25. Michgander reefer says

    November 26, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    Phyto is the basic food for all good article

    Reply
  26. Matt Blefeld says

    November 26, 2019 at 7:52 pm

    Big clam!!

    Reply
  27. Chris S. Buswell says

    November 26, 2019 at 7:55 pm

    Clam-tastic that the needed foods can be purchased easily and reliably.

    Reply
  28. Meghan Mulkerin says

    November 26, 2019 at 8:02 pm

    400 pounds!!! That would be some good eating. Thanks for the great information about their nutritional needs.

    Reply
  29. Steven Rodriguez says

    November 26, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    Very cool

    Reply
  30. liesle_memmott says

    November 26, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    We are about to start culturing Phyto! I am on the right track for being able to help a clam be happy!

    Reply
  31. Richard Baer says

    November 26, 2019 at 9:44 pm

    I don’t do anything special for my clams, but my squamosa and maxima are thriving in my tank, having doubled and halved again in size, respectively, over the last 18 months. They are my second favorite animals after sea turtles.

    Reply
  32. Christopher Burns says

    November 26, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    great info

    Reply
  33. Dallas Tippie says

    November 27, 2019 at 12:38 am

    Feeding phyto is key!

    Reply
  34. daroberts87 says

    November 27, 2019 at 7:13 am

    Happy Thanksgiving

    Reply
  35. Brett says

    November 27, 2019 at 8:38 am

    Cool!

    Reply
  36. Brett says

    November 27, 2019 at 8:38 am

    Coo

    Reply
  37. whwhunt says

    November 27, 2019 at 9:55 am

    I use phyto now and love it.

    Reply
  38. dcallahan56789 says

    November 27, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    Would target feeding phyto be enough to keep a clam in water which had less that 2ppm of Nitrate?

    Reply
  39. Aaron says

    November 27, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    theres some info I didn’t know

    Reply
  40. Constantino Zarate says

    November 27, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    Awesome post! Thanks for the great info!

    Reply
  41. Nicholas Steele says

    November 28, 2019 at 5:24 am

    Great insight for a future clam owner!

    Reply
  42. Richard says

    November 28, 2019 at 7:14 am

    What’s the minimum tank size for a 400 pound clam? lol

    Reply
  43. Tim Kubajak says

    November 28, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    I’m contemplating my first clam. Thanks for the info!

    Reply
  44. Echo says

    November 28, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    I recently read an article about the captive breeding program for giant clams. They are really neat animals.

    Reply
  45. Max Renaud says

    November 28, 2019 at 9:45 pm

    Cool!

    Reply
  46. bad72nova says

    November 29, 2019 at 1:36 pm

    That’s good info. I thought phyto was needed on clams under 3″, next time I get a clam I will feed phyto no matter the size

    Reply
  47. rcedeno2 says

    November 29, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    I dont like big clams!

    Reply
  48. Wesley Spangler says

    November 29, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    Seems like phyto is is great for pretty much everything

    Reply
  49. Luis Aceves says

    November 30, 2019 at 3:07 pm

    Nice. Thanks for the info.

    Reply
  50. James says

    December 1, 2019 at 10:30 am

    One hundred percent agree, dosing phytoplankton especially early on in the clams life is imperative to keeping them alive and getting them over the hump in my opinion.

    Reply
  51. Charles Folstrom says

    April 12, 2021 at 1:15 pm

    Great info

    Reply
  52. Kirby Hughes says

    April 12, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    Great info!

    Reply
  53. Charles maresh says

    April 12, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    Great info. I did not know care was so much coral like.

    Reply
  54. Victor says

    April 12, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    Wow very cool and helpful thanks

    Reply
  55. Mr Papu says

    April 12, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    Great post!

    Reply
  56. Wolfthefallen says

    April 12, 2021 at 6:03 pm

    Dosing phyto has helped my tank all round that is for sure. even my corals are brighter.

    Reply
  57. brotherbloat36 says

    April 12, 2021 at 7:08 pm

    Great article! Very useful!

    Reply
  58. Jennifer Kennedy says

    April 12, 2021 at 7:37 pm

    Makes sense why they need strong light now!

    Reply
  59. dawn.g22 says

    April 12, 2021 at 7:39 pm

    Very informative!

    Reply
  60. Soren Shurtleff says

    April 12, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    Interesting article! great information

    Reply
  61. lemonpie755 says

    April 12, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    Yeah

    Reply
  62. pweiss989 says

    April 12, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    Phyto is a must for any clam keeper!! Good article

    Reply
  63. Scott Chase says

    April 12, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    Clams look best under whiter light anyway

    Reply
  64. Matt says

    April 12, 2021 at 11:00 pm

    Phytoplankton is good for the corals and the clams

    Reply
  65. SusanJAlvarezMD says

    April 12, 2021 at 11:07 pm

    Looks like I’ll have to turn up my lights!! I am already adding phytoplankton regularly.

    Reply
  66. joshuastevens930 says

    April 13, 2021 at 12:01 am

    I did know giant clams eat phytoplankton

    Reply
  67. pumas0511 says

    April 13, 2021 at 2:39 am

    Awesome article. Thanks ? Algaebarn

    Reply
  68. Douglas Ward says

    April 13, 2021 at 4:51 am

    Great Info!!

    Reply
  69. John Collins says

    April 13, 2021 at 4:59 am

    Yes they do

    Reply
  70. David Cruz says

    April 13, 2021 at 5:12 am

    Phyto for the win with these clams

    Reply
  71. Joe Balbi says

    April 13, 2021 at 6:12 am

    Fantastic! I have always been interested in getting one.

    Reply
  72. cc01lowrider says

    April 13, 2021 at 6:40 am

    Yes and zoo plankton

    Reply
  73. straitmartin says

    April 13, 2021 at 6:52 am

    They must

    Reply
  74. shrimppyshrimp says

    April 13, 2021 at 6:56 am

    Very informative

    Reply
  75. Joe Willis says

    April 13, 2021 at 7:16 am

    So interesting! I had no idea clams had such a varied diet.

    Reply
  76. rjulin22 says

    April 13, 2021 at 7:39 am

    Great info I don’t think I’ll be getting a giant clam soon

    Reply
  77. Dana Monteiro says

    April 13, 2021 at 8:15 am

    Just here so i don’t get fined

    Reply
  78. Michael Wilson says

    April 13, 2021 at 8:21 am

    Great knowledge for future clam culturing.

    Reply
  79. Catherine says

    April 13, 2021 at 8:37 am

    I love the article. I cannot wait to add a couple to my tank!

    Reply
  80. Catherine says

    April 13, 2021 at 8:37 am

    Great information!

    Reply
  81. Jeffrey Shifflett says

    April 13, 2021 at 8:47 am

    Really good information.

    Reply
  82. kmwagner91 says

    April 13, 2021 at 9:28 am

    Happy as a clam

    Reply
  83. Keaton Smith says

    April 13, 2021 at 9:32 am

    Love this information

    Reply
  84. mattgulau says

    April 13, 2021 at 9:34 am

    Started dosing phyto daily when I got my first clam but after seeing the overall benefits to my tank I would continue to even if I didn’t have a clam

    Reply
  85. nicole morrison says

    April 13, 2021 at 11:26 am

    Good information

    Reply
  86. Michael Horton says

    April 13, 2021 at 11:56 am

    Not a surprise that they would strain out really small stuff like phyto as they filter feed. . .

    Reply
  87. John Rigg says

    April 13, 2021 at 12:05 pm

    I hope to be a clam owner some day.

    Reply
  88. erin wirfel says

    April 13, 2021 at 1:12 pm

    yes

    Reply
  89. mitch.turner31 says

    April 13, 2021 at 2:51 pm

    Certainly

    Reply
  90. Efrain Rodriguez says

    April 16, 2021 at 9:40 am

    Yes

    Reply
  91. Louisa JAmes says

    April 16, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    I have gotten more info from this then anywhere thank you.

    Reply
  92. Anthony says

    April 16, 2021 at 8:08 pm

    ???

    Reply
  93. statru says

    April 16, 2021 at 11:07 pm

    I don’t know of anything in my tank that doesn’t consume phyto! Thanx for the additional info found here.

    Reply
  94. mackey004 says

    April 18, 2021 at 6:39 am

    I plumbed a low flow biocube into my main tank where phytoplankton and pods thrive. Has been working wonders for me.

    Reply
  95. Allee Mackey says

    April 18, 2021 at 7:43 am

    Ready for my maxima

    Reply
  96. Chris Baskins says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:44 am

    Indeed they do

    Reply
  97. Carlos Matias-Tejada says

    April 19, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    i had no idea clams ate phyto…. time to stock up!

    Reply
  98. Patrick Pokrop says

    April 19, 2021 at 3:52 pm

    Love my Gold Maxima!

    Reply
  99. adubvu says

    April 19, 2021 at 4:03 pm

    Wow!!!!

    Reply
  100. shieldagent1 says

    April 19, 2021 at 4:11 pm

    Very informative!

    Reply
  101. shawn22vest says

    April 19, 2021 at 4:56 pm

    When keeping a clam less than three inches, feeding is almost a necessity

    Reply
  102. law says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    Of course they eat phyto!

    Reply
  103. joshirwin2 says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    Absolutely they do!

    Reply
  104. Ellery Wong says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:39 pm

    Still dose NannoChloropsis but maybe need to culture another variety as well.

    Reply
  105. Matthew Antolovich says

    April 19, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Yes, yes they do.

    Reply
  106. camper66 says

    April 19, 2021 at 6:07 pm

    Seems like phyto is great for a number of things

    Reply
  107. dcreeron says

    April 19, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    Could have used this info the first time I tried a clam years ago.

    Reply
  108. Tim Brown says

    April 19, 2021 at 7:47 pm

    I just started dosing/feeding phytoplankton.

    Reply
  109. rm.dyer says

    April 19, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    I dose phyto regularly for my pods I’m sure my clams will be happy!

    Reply
  110. rm.dyer says

    April 19, 2021 at 8:08 pm

    I’m already doing what I need to care for a clam! Now I just need my clam

    Reply
  111. John Kellar says

    April 19, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    Of course.

    Reply
  112. Natalie Fernandez says

    April 19, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    I don’t have clams yet, but I already dose my reef with live phyto to maintain them, and my copepod colonies in it! I’ve been seeding my tank for while because I’m getting ready to try and keep a mandarin dragonet.

    Reply
  113. Lorri Blanton says

    April 20, 2021 at 5:42 am

    yes the best

    Reply
  114. heatherlv31 says

    April 20, 2021 at 7:03 am

    Yes

    Reply
  115. Jen FE DE LEON says

    April 20, 2021 at 12:01 pm

    I wasn’t aware clams consume unneeded zooxanthellae until I read this article, thanks!

    Reply
  116. Daniel Lenger says

    April 20, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    for sure

    Reply
  117. Catherine says

    April 22, 2021 at 7:01 am

    Interesting!

    Reply
  118. Steve Miller says

    April 24, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    I would guess yes

    Reply
  119. Douglas Jordan says

    April 26, 2021 at 3:33 pm

    I don’t have clams either but always dosing phyto

    Reply
  120. Michael Ehret says

    April 26, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    I already knew this. Also I learned something new today!

    Reply
  121. Amanda Rasberry says

    April 26, 2021 at 6:19 pm

    Good to know

    Reply
  122. coleman.j85 says

    April 26, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    What!?

    Reply
  123. thillock says

    April 26, 2021 at 10:32 pm

    Why yes they do

    Reply
  124. Erik Larsen says

    April 27, 2021 at 5:15 am

    Phyto is great!!

    Reply
  125. Nick Seunath says

    April 27, 2021 at 6:06 am

    Nice!

    Reply
  126. Nick Seunath says

    April 27, 2021 at 6:06 am

    Nice!

    Reply
  127. Nick Seunath says

    April 27, 2021 at 6:23 am

    So cool

    Reply
  128. Nick Seunath says

    April 27, 2021 at 6:25 am

    Nice

    Reply
  129. Nick Seunath says

    April 27, 2021 at 6:25 am

    Nice

    Reply
  130. pastort.a.sherman says

    April 27, 2021 at 11:27 am

    Ok

    Reply
  131. Travis Lund says

    April 27, 2021 at 4:01 pm

    Any info on clams is good info. They can do a 180 in an instant it seems

    Reply
  132. jumpin.jack says

    April 27, 2021 at 4:40 pm

    Phytoplankton are the base to a good reef tank

    Reply
  133. [email protected] says

    April 27, 2021 at 4:42 pm

    Appreciate the info

    Reply
  134. alio1220000 says

    April 28, 2021 at 1:16 am

    Now I’m informed

    Reply
  135. Preston Potwin says

    April 28, 2021 at 2:30 am

    Good info

    Reply
  136. Jahn Garcia says

    April 28, 2021 at 6:07 am

    Kk

    Reply
  137. bradjwaddell says

    April 28, 2021 at 9:02 am

    Great info

    Reply
  138. Juan Perez says

    April 28, 2021 at 10:57 am

    Great info. Thanks

    Reply
  139. j_wey says

    April 28, 2021 at 1:37 pm

    I feed phyto but my clam did not survive

    Reply
  140. reefbeard says

    April 28, 2021 at 6:56 pm

    Clammsss!!!

    Reply
  141. obwhan says

    April 28, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    stunning in the wild

    Reply
  142. KRISTA FROST says

    April 29, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Interesting

    Reply
  143. KRISTA FROST says

    April 29, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Interesting

    Reply
  144. KRISTA FROST says

    April 29, 2021 at 4:10 pm

    Look like eventually I’ll be buying a lot of phytoplankton

    Reply
  145. angela_dominka says

    April 29, 2021 at 6:39 pm

    Love dosing 15ml phyto every other day. My ULN Tank handles it well and everything opens up!

    Reply

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