Freshwater Clams

[Assaye]

I know we have an expert around here somewhere . . .

Ok, firstly I am *not* going to get a clam. However, I want to check some facts.

I phoned a local P@H store that stocks freshwater clams and asked about them - specifically about the kind of care they need. This is what I was told:

+ They need no care at all
+ They sift the water for food
+ They will find enough food in the water and wiull not need any additional feeding
+ They are suitable for any tropical or coldwater tank, except for a pond and tanks with nippy/aggressive inhabitants

Specific species is unknown but they looked very similar to this:

Video

Opinions . . . I think that a lot of this is incorrect - the feeding advice worries me hugely.

 

[raptorrex]

I know we have an expert around here somewhere . . .

Ok, firstly I am *not* going to get a clam. However, I want to check some facts.

I phoned a local P@H store that stocks freshwater clams and asked about them - specifically about the kind of care they need. This is what I was told:

+ They need no care at all
+ They sift the water for food
+ They will find enough food in the water and wiull not need any additional feeding
+ They are suitable for any tropical or coldwater tank, except for a pond and tanks with nippy/aggressive inhabitants

Specific species is unknown but they looked very similar to this:

Video

Opinions . . . I think that a lot of this is incorrect - the feeding advice worries me hugely.

well, where to start?

1, no care at all? how about the correct environment?
2, they will sift for food! yes, but only if there is enough of it. something not likely in any community tank.
3, suitable for tropical and cold water tanks. probably best say NOT suitable.

these guys seem like a dream inhabitant. but most, if not all, will starve. not only that, but you will have no way of knowing. until the calm dies.

they bury themselves and, unless they are in bad conditions, don't move. if you ever see a clam on the surface, its in a bad way. see one moving, and its really in trouble.

there s just not enough "food" in a typical aquarium.

do us all a favour, leave them to starve at P@H. if enough die, they may not buy any more. hard, but true.

 

[Rlon35]

I know we have an expert around here somewhere . . .

Ok, firstly I am *not* going to get a clam. However, I want to check some facts.

I phoned a local P@H store that stocks freshwater clams and asked about them - specifically about the kind of care they need. This is what I was told:

+ They need no care at all
+ They sift the water for food
+ They will find enough food in the water and wiull not need any additional feeding
+ They are suitable for any tropical or coldwater tank, except for a pond and tanks with nippy/aggressive inhabitants

Specific species is unknown but they looked very similar to this:

Video

Opinions . . . I think that a lot of this is incorrect - the feeding advice worries me hugely.

well, where to start?

1, no care at all? how about the correct environment?
2, they will sift for food! yes, but only if there is enough of it. something not likely in any community tank.
3, suitable for tropical and cold water tanks. probably best say NOT suitable.

these guys seem like a dream inhabitant. but most, if not all, will starve. not only that, but you will have no way of knowing. until the calm dies.

they bury themselves and, unless they are in bad conditions, don't move. if you ever see a clam on the surface, its in a bad way. see one moving, and its really in trouble.

there s just not enough "food" in a typical aquarium.

do us all a favour, leave them to starve at P@H. if enough die, they may not buy any more. hard, but true.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I have bought freshwater clams on three seperate occasions. All have died...all die eventually in a planted community tank, regardless of calcium supplementation, water parameters, etc. IMO. Ppeople need to stop seeling them for community tanks. And, buyers tend to think that they serve as good filters for your tank...you would literally need a hundred clams for a 50 gallon tank, and they would hence starve at a speedier rate than normal.

 

[White Whale]

I heard all shellfish release toxins (or deteriorate so rapidly that the water becomes toxic) when they die. Is this true?

 

[ian]

they do release a good amount of amonia when they rot, which would kill off any sensitive fish. Neale Monks wrote a good article on fresh water clams...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=216507&view=&hl=clam&fromsearch=1

have a read of this thread ^^^

 

[raptorrex]

I heard all shellfish release toxins (or deteriorate so rapidly that the water becomes toxic) when they die. Is this true?

put simply, YES. and it will affect more than "sensitive" fish.
is it only me, who finds it odd. odd in the way people are more worried about, how their death, will affect the tanks, other, inhabitants? as oppesed to ensuring that they dont (die) in the first place? (this is not aimed at you "White Whale". just people in general)

 

[Assaye]

Thanks for the info guys =)

do us all a favour, leave them to starve at P@H. if enough die, they may not buy any more. hard, but true.

Don't worry, I have not for one moment entertained the idea of getting a pet clam.