Help with Maxima Clam

[Dburr1014]

Mine 5/6 years

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Could it be that it is not use to all the movement from fish swimming by so it closes up more. The reactions from movement are strong and fast

 

[Dburr1014]

So the clam is mature enough, bigger than 3" is good.
No more sand to irritate it, good.

 

[Dburr1014]

Could it be that it is not use to all the movement from fish swimming by so it closes up more. The reactions from movement are strong and fast

Could be, it just got moved, needs to settle in. Keep everything stable as you can.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Could be, it just got moved, needs to settle in. Keep everything stable as you can.

Tank is very stable ( knock on wood)

 

[Dburr1014]

Tank is very stable ( knock on wood)

Very nice!

 

[minus9]

I would place it on the rock behind it and to the left and slowly increase the lighting/intensity. At this size, the growth rate will be slower, but you should always see fresh new shell growth just below the mantle at the upper margin of the shell. My guess is that the clam wasn’t getting enough light before and now it’s in the same conditions or less. Over the course of the next couple weeks or so, I would increase your par so it’s getting 350-400 micro moles. You can’t give it too much light. Also, maximas at this size are not usually aquacultured and most likely wild collected.
In the meantime order this book.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I would give it more light.
I would move it to the rockwork.
I've only tried 1 maxima and it was a small gold. Beautiful creature but like vetteguy says. Fragile creature.
Good luck! U got this!
D

 

[Chris Spaulding]

There is new growth below the mantel so this is good. I started to increase lighting SLOWLY 1% per week MaX. At peak lighting that spot it is at now actually get almost 300 par. On top of that rock to the left it is closer to 400 at peak.There is not much room there for it as the corals that are incrusted on to the rock. Maybe one can move ( RMF Acid Trip) that would create room.
When I get home from work I will see if it mantel is extending any better.

If it is needing more light wouldn't the mantel be out and stretching up to the light in order to gather more light ?

 

[djf91]

I was in the same boat as you about a month ago. I purchased a 6 inch blue maxima from my LFS that they said was from Tahiti. I had decent extension under my Halides on day 2-3 but then started noticing that it was retracted 80% of the time when I would walk past the tank during the following weeks. But it seemed to be very healthy and it really did want to extend and would start to extend when I would stay in front of the tank and observe. So I then backed away from the tank and what do you know….. my large purple tang comes out of the rocks and goes right for the clam and makes a massive nip at the mantle and then just continues to wait there in front of it for it to open back again and then another big nip. I put an upside down critter carrier around the clam the next day and the clam opened up the most I had ever seen it and has since stayed open. I would make sure none of your tangs are nipping when you’re not around.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I have been watching closely all be it not 24 /7 but I am at the tank for Hrs at a time every night as it is in the main family room I have not seen any fish nip at the mantel. I have seen a tang pick at the side of the shell witch caused to react

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Update . I watched very closely for any fish nipping at the mantel an did not see any one nipping. What I did see is the tangs coming up and grazing on the she’ll. As soon as they did this the clam retracted. Also my tank is VERY active and any time a fish swam over the top the clam would react.
I decided to move the clam over to my shallow mangrove tank that is attached to my Seahorse tank. He has opened up nicely. My only concern now is he going to get enough light. He is directly under an AI prime in 7 inches of water. Prime is 9 inches above he water.

 

[Dburr1014]

Update . I watched very closely for any fish nipping at the mantel an did not see any one nipping. What I did see is the tangs coming up and grazing on the she’ll. As soon as they did this the clam retracted. Also my tank is VERY active and any time a fish swam over the top the clam would react.
I decided to move the clam over to my shallow mangrove tank that is attached to my Seahorse tank. He has opened up nicely. My only concern now is he going to get enough light. He is directly under an AI prime in 7 inches of water. Prime is 9 inches above he water.

How much par? Or estimate?
( don't tell anyone, but I have mine in less than 300 par since I've had it five or six years. Most people say that's not enough, so don't tell them)

 

[Chris Spaulding]

How much par? Or estimate?
( don't tell anyone, but I have mine in less than 300 par since I've had it five or six years. Most people say that's not enough, so don't tell them)

Took some readings today at peak 368 at the clam.

 

[ArachnoJoozt]

Update . I watched very closely for any fish nipping at the mantel an did not see any one nipping. What I did see is the tangs coming up and grazing on the she’ll. As soon as they did this the clam retracted. Also my tank is VERY active and any time a fish swam over the top the clam would react.
I decided to move the clam over to my shallow mangrove tank that is attached to my Seahorse tank. He has opened up nicely. My only concern now is he going to get enough light. He is directly under an AI prime in 7 inches of water. Prime is 9 inches above he water.

At least you know it's a healthy clam, beautiful specimen! I think the clam should get used to the fish. I see very little algae in your DT, while the clam is pretty green. Maybe works like a nori clip for the Tangs, excessively picking at it until most algae is gone, and thus irritating it.
You could clean the algae off the shell and try to reintroduce the clam to the DT, see if there is a difference. If there is any picking at the mantle it's obviously a no-no, but very occasional picking at the shell and just many fish around in general should not be too much of an issue.

The first picture of the mangrove tank there is a little teaser of a top-down photo, seems to be even more stunning, can you post a top-down shot just for enjoyment's sake?

 

[Chris Spaulding]

He is doing great in the mangrove tank. Even though I did not see ay of my fish pick at the mantel when he was in the DT the CBB was giving him the stink eye . The DT does have Some alga but the 3 tangs and foxface along with hundreds of various snail keep it in check. Here is a top down as the lights are getting dimmer from a few days ago.

 

[bnord]

very happy to see the improvements - have been following along as I have 2 derassas and a round maxima and still learning - this thread has helped
you are a diligent critter attendant and sure it have found a good home - best of luck and let us see another pic in a few weeks please

 

[DeniseAndy]

He looks much happier in the mangrove tank. Could have been the Foxface or CBB. They can be buggers sometimes. That is a nice size clam.

 

[Chelsea.G]

bottom is ideal spot, just no sand. Make sure the rock is cupped and Not flat

Why does it need to be cradled? I have a maxima on a dead mushroom that is flat with ridges

 

[Dburr1014]

Why does it need to be cradled? I have a maxima on a dead mushroom that is flat with ridges

Just so it don't fall over and has time to attach. What's nice is once it's attached you can move it to other places(as long as it stays happy).