Maxima Clam Question
 

Hi I have a maxima clam and i was wondering if it can go on rocks? or does have to be in the sand?

I've seen them on rock work, but anytime I tried, they always jumped off.

There in the sand for now but i may move them later :)

In the wild i've only ever seen these clams in/on rocks. I'm no clam expert, but I assumed that they actually prefer to be on rocks where they can get a good strong foot hold and possibly even burrow into the rock over time?

They like being on rocks but are usually in crevasses and such.
To make mine movable without messing around with their foot all the time, I got a piece of flat rock that has a dip/pocket in the center and put that on the sand. Once they attach you can move them around.

You can also take a dremel to some rock and create a pocket.

I took a small piece of broken shelf and put him on that I need to find a place that i like him on the rock. How long does it take for there foot to attach?

Thanks for the help

Some will start attaching within hours....at least with mine and some days until they get comfy. One of mine wasn't comfy on one of my rocks and let go with his foot. And jumped, was just above the sand so more just tipped over but had to readjust him. Now he's happy.

I have had my clam for a little over a month. I put it on the sand first and it wasnt opening up fully but was responsive. The mantle just went over the edge of the shell by 1/2 inch at most. I asked at Safari why mine wasnt opening and he said put it up higher. i have tried that for a couple of weeks and no change so i put him back on the sand because i worried my tang would knock him down. i have 14000k mh lights that are now about 30 inches from him. why doesnt mine open up? barb

Hi Barb,

The maxima clams live on the rocks and need a lot of light. The ones I have seen while diving were always shallow, less than 15 feet.

I would move the clam up higher in your tank. Make sure it is not in an area of high current. The mantle should not be moving in the current.

4"+ Clams can attach to the bottom of the aquarium, even through 3" of sand/gravel so make sure that it is not attached before you try and move it.

Cheers,
Tim

Ok, thanks. do you know if colour temp of the lighting is important.
i use 14000k is that what they prefer?