Clams anyone???

[Magnum Man]

I was bouncing around the www. & I've not gotten fish from this seller, so I have no idea how they are... I do have a trial order in, ( not for clams at this point ), but these look interesting... I might try a few... what do you guys think ( they have other clams too )

Golden Freshwater Filter Feeder Substrate Burrower Clams for sale

Golden Freshwater Filter Feeder Substrate Burrower Clams for sale

azgardens.com

 

[Elephant nose 4]

I've always found these interesting, but got put of at how easy they die.
I do have filter feeders but heard these can be difficult.
They are so cool though

 

[MaloK]

They rely on a constant supply of free floating algae and plankton...

It's feels like at any point, your filter could turn into ammonia itself. I wouldn't want to be forced to supplement my filter's diet with infusoria or phytoplankton.

But, I can imagine puffers and loaches trying to eat the filter alive.

 

[Magnum Man]

I'm thinking about a few in some of the tanks that I'm supplementing Bacter A E to build bio films, like shrimp tanks to start with... but I don't count on any animal doing my job as caretaker, & I always over filter my tanks, so I would be supplementing their food, or they would likely starve in most of my tanks... although I have been able to keep a Vampire shrimp ( also a filter feeder ) alive for the last year, in my African tank, & only began adding the Bacter A E 3-4 months ago... it comes out of its hidey hole like clockwork, after I add it, so it knows it's there... assume any clams would be similar...

some more general information...

Freshwater Clams Care - Shrimp and Snail Breeder

Freshwater clams are rated on the easy – medium care level because they have specific requirements for the tank setup to thrive.

aquariumbreeder.com

 

[MaloK]

Bacter AE is not supposed to be food, but my shrimps eat it directly too. It sure remains in the water layer a long time before falling down.

 

[FranciscoB]

Those are Corbicula Asian clams.
The not-golden variety is an introduced species present in nearly all waterways in the USA and parts of Canada (primarily small creeks and rivers, but also lakes). An unfortunate un-intended import many decades ago. In fact, 2-3 species (Corbicula fluminea, fluminalis, and yet another).
They do need food, which is mainly algae. Without it, eventually they tend to die, but they can live for long times (months-years) before dying. They definitely do filter other things in the tank, eking a miserable life before they die.
People consider them a novelty and put them in their tanks. Even pay money for them.

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

I did look into these but they die easily and when they die they apparently produce a lot of ammonia - or cause a huge ammonia spike

 

[simonas]

Do you mean saltwater clams? I have a Deresa Clam in my little reef?

 

[Magnum Man]

I had several salt water tanks, when I had tanks 20 years ago... ( but never bought clams... may have had a few small ones that came on live rock though )... but I'm trying to stay with fresh water in my "old age" ... I kinda like the little yellow ones I linked... thought maybe trying a few at 1st in my cherry shrimp tank???

 

[Uberhoust]

This is one of the types of creatures that could be a problem environmentally. It is known as an invasive species. North American freshwater clams have reducing habitats. I would not bring these into my aquariums.

 

[Magnum Man]

I'm pretty far from a natural waterway, & wouldn't raise them outside, where they could be transplanted by birds or raccoons etc. I don't do any aquarium maintenance outside... everything stays in my basement...

but it's definitely something a person should think about, weather you can keep them contained...