Who’s in that shell: Can you identify clams?

[Peace River]

Who’s in that shell: Can you identify clams?

For many of us who either came into the hobby and developed our skills with corals or fish, clams may seem like (and may actually be) a completely different category. Do you know your clams? Can you identify the different types? Is this a space that you would like to learn about or maybe have plans to learn about? Maybe you have tried, and it didn’t go as well as you had hoped or maybe you jumped in and have figured out how to keep clams. Please tell us about your experience with clams in the discussion below.

Photo shared by @Tahoe61; https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/h-hippopous-the-other-giant-clam.271526/

There are a few R2R resources that you may find helpful. Along with the sub-forum on clams, there are also a few links about clams that you may want to explore:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/giant-clam-id.55284/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/h-hippopous-the-other-giant-clam.271526/

If you decide to take the time to dig a little deeper, please come back here and let us know what you found! Did these links help you get a little bit better at IDing clams? Tell about it in the thread below.

 

[revhtree]

I love the look of clams, the idea of having clams, but my knowledge is little to none when it comes to clams!

 

[i cant think]

I can ID the majority of clams however there are a few I mix up sometimes. And I absolutely love owning my Deresa and Maxima, they truly are a joy to own. If it’s a top down photo of a clam, I will sometimes struggle to ID it - unless it’s a noae with the obvious teardrop pattern. Side on photos I can often ID though.

But we all know, top down is the only way to truly enjoy clams!

 

[death-by-reef]

i dont know clams at all but they are beautiful

 

[snorklr]

sure...littleneck, cherrystone, chowder....

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have been keeping clams for at least 15 years. Love them. I can identify most, but some of the hybrids will get me stumped. I currently have croceas, derasas, giga, and squammies. I have had maxima and hippopus in the past.

 

[TbSaysNo]

Bought my first clam yesterday, Maxima blue, super excited!

 

[Miami Reef]

I can identify tridacna clams.

Clams are my true passion in reefing. I enjoy all my clams.

 

[Jwise]

Im totally lost when it comes to clams because i never took much interest into them in the hobby until recently. Im interested however into learning more about them because i saw a couple of really nice looking ones recently.

 

[i cant think]

Bought my first clam yesterday, Maxima blue, super excited!

Photos are a must when it opens!

 

[Slocke]

I'd love to try clams but I assume my lights aren't strong enough for them so maybe after I upgrade again.

 

[OrionN]

 

[Blake Fabian]

On that note, I'd love to have a Gigas again. I bought one from algeabarn many years ago and it died during our move to a new house. I was very sad and now I can't find another one anywhere.

 

[OrionN]

I know clams pretty well. I actually came up with the protocol to successfully treat Pinched Mantle Disease in clams with Fresh Water Dip 20 years ago.

 

[shakacuz]

i’m new to clams and can only ID a crocea or maxima (usually, i can confuse these at times).

currently own 2 clams. a crocea, and gold maxima. the crocea is about 2-3inches, and the good maxima is about 3-5inches

 

[Piscans]

i can id hipopus, gigas, maxima, and just regular clams like scallops and stuff

 

[design.maddie]

I could probably identify a Maxima but that is about it. Clams are in the distant future for me. I thought I was this amazing aquarist because I had a thriving Montipora dominant tank. I figured I would start adding some Acropora then move to some Clams. I have had so much trouble maintaining parameters for my Acropora that I have put a hold on the Clam idea. I am very interested in Clams but I have other things to study currently.

 

[bnord]

I can identify tridacna clams.

Clams are my true passion in reefing. I enjoy all my clams.

congrats on your seating of these maximas - I had the great fortune to be able to see these in the wild on the GBR and this looks more natural than most I have seen in tanks

 

[Wayne P.]

Would like to try clams, but I'm sure my CBB would eat them.

 

[OrionN]

I had 5 CBB over the years. NONE of them bother Tridacnid clams while devour oyster and other shellfish. We call these animal clams, but Tridacnid clams are not at all like steamer clams. Over the millennium, I am sure Tridacnid evolved to have a very distasteful mantle to prevent been eaten by fish and other mobile animals.