Description
Maxima Clam (Tridacna maxima)
The maxima clam is quite popular in the hobby for its beauty and fascinating behavior. This animal relies on two sources of nourishment. Like many other bivalve mollusks, it filter feeds upon phytoplankton through its gills. However, the majority of its daily sustenance comes from a symbiotic algae. T. maxima is the smallest of the “giant” clams at less than a third the size of the true giant clam T. gigas.
These sustainably farmed specimens are available as First Grade, Gold and Black & Color. See below for more information.
Size and Care Requirements:
- Purchase Size: 1.5″
- Max Size: 20 cm (7.9″)
- Water Parameters: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.2-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
- Color: Bright blue, green or golden brown (mantle)
- Reef-Safe: Yes
- Diet: Omnivore. In addition to consuming products released from its symbiont, it is a phytoplanktivore. Thus, it benefits greatly from the regular addition of live phytoplankton.
Maxima Clam Species Information
The maxima clam (Tridacna maxima) has the widest range of all the tridacnid clams. The species occurs in China, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Red Sea, East Africa, India and throughout the Indo-Pacific. Whether living on reef rock, over sand or nestled between corals, T. maxima prefers strongly illuminated habitats. It’s dependence on light arises from it’s dependence on an endosymbiotic dinoflagellate. This photosynthetic algae needs intense, full-spectrum light to survive.
These clams are completely reef-safe. Both strange and beautiful, Tridacna maxima has for long been prized by reef aquarists. It cannot be safely kept with certain predatory fishes such as triggerfish, puffers, certain wrasses, etc. A sustainable alternative to wild-caught maxima clams, these aquacultured specimens have a comparatively higher survivability.
Benefits of Aquacultured Clams
Captive-bred maxima clams provide a huge advantage over wild-caught specimens. Because they are cultured under captive conditions, they are better adapted to living in an aquarium and tend to be more disease resistant. They are also better able to handle shipping stress. By purchasing captive-bred organisms, you are supporting the aquaculture of marine organisms and helping make our hobby sustainable!
AlgaeBarn keeps these maxima clams in an invertebrate-specific system to minimize the transfer of fish parasites and other unwanted hitchhikers.
100% Alive on Arrival (AoA) Guarantee
We guarantee that every clam we sell will be Alive On Arrival and in good health. Should any arrive in any other state, we will either replace them free of charge (including shipping). If the total livestock loss is less than $40, we will issue store credit. For more information, please also visit our 100% Alive On Arrival Guarantee page.
