Keeping freshwater asian clams

cal1112333

I am getting 6 (unless advised otherwise) asian golden clams.

Right now I have some greenwater in my tank that has not been reduced by 10% daily waterchanges and I know that the clams are going to love me for letting it build up for 4 days before I get them.

I would like advice on being able to keep them alive for as long as reasonably possible.

the temp is kepy from 78-80 degrees (is that too high for what I have btw?) and last I checked the PH was at 7.6 (a little high, I know, but after research I found that it wont affect my fish unless Im trying to get them to breed)

I plan on getting some aquarium iodine but is there anything else I can do to extend the life expectancy of my clams? and would 6 be too much for a heavily planted 55 gallon with good circulation?

SinCrisis

wow, i dont even know where you can buy freshwater clams...

okiemavis

What sort of substrate do you have? They *need* sand. Also, do you have any bottom dwellers which may stress them and cause them to close up? My general opinion on clams in a community aquarium is that it should be avoided. Once they run out of green water, there won't be much that they can eat and they will likely starve.

SinCrisis

wont a clam sift through the sand for food? they do have a big muscle that helps them move and eat. Perhaps it will keep the sand turned also to keep aneraobic pockets out? Also i heard when they breed they realease little spores that can sumtiems get between teh scales of sfish and cause something that looks like ick btu is actualyl harmless...

cal1112333

Sorry to have not kept everyone updated. I already bought 6 of them about a month ago. 6 VERY small clams, destroyed my 55 gallon's severe cloudy water (mostly greenwater but THICK). After 3 days the water was crystal clear, and yes I was worred about starvation. However I bought some marine phytoplankton and have been adding about a tablespoon a day. The water stays crystal clear, and the clams are all still alive. Can tell by my weekly un burying them. I have small black rocks as a substrait, and am going to move them to my 40 gallon with craft sand (when wet it is like mud, its SUPER fine).

And freshwater asain clams Do not have that spore like phase, the main reasion I chose them, but they are also much less likely to breed in captivity as well.

In conclusion, solong as the mates you have will not bother them I fully recommend them!

Pasfur

Be careful with the iodine. Most of us on the marine reefkeeping side of the hobby no longer dose iodine. The risk of overdose is significant and test kits unreliable.

Following the directions on the bottle is not sufficient to prevent overdose.

SinCrisis

but they do bury themselves? Thats interestng as it could be an alternate choice in a sand tank for a sand turner...