{"product_id":"tasmanian-pea-clam-sphaerium-tasmanicum","title":"Tasmanian Pea Clam | Sphaerium tasmanicum","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Tasmanian Pea Clam is a tiny native Australian freshwater bivalve, no bigger than a pea, that quietly filters the water column for algae and fine particles as it moves through the substrate. A subtle but genuinely useful addition to a native species or nano planted tank, valued more for its natural filtration than its looks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSphaerium tasmanicum is endemic to Tasmania, Australia, where it is found burrowed in sand and silt substrates of slow-flowing streams, creeks and still freshwater bodies such as lakes and ponds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA small, rounded, pea-shaped shell in pale yellowish-tan to olive-brown tones, growing to only around 1-1.5cm across. A pale muscular foot is used for slow movement and burrowing, and paired siphons are visible extending from the shell while the clam is filter feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCompletely peaceful and sedentary, spending most of its time partly buried in the substrate. It poses no threat to any tankmate but is soft-bodied and can itself be eaten by larger fish, crayfish or aggressive shrimp, so is best suited to gentle community or native-species setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA filter feeder — suspended algae, detritus and bacteria drawn in through its siphons make up its entire diet. In an established, biologically active tank with reasonable algae and micro-organism levels, no additional feeding is required; in very clean, low-nutrient systems a dose of liquid phytoplankton or green water can help.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeeds a fine sand or silty substrate to burrow into, a mature tank with some natural algae and microfauna present, and gentle water flow. Like other invertebrates, it is highly sensitive to copper-based medications and poor water quality, and must remain fully submerged at all times as it cannot tolerate drying out.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePea clams are hermaphroditic and capable of self-fertilisation. Eggs are brooded internally within the gill chamber, and the clam releases fully formed juvenile clams directly rather than free-swimming larvae. In a stable, well-fed aquarium they can reproduce readily, with juveniles reaching sexual maturity within a few months.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSphaerium tasmanicum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTasmanian Pea Clam\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEndemic to Tasmania, Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.5cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1-3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\/Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20L (5 US gal)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40L+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFilter feeder — suspended algae, detritus, bacteria\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14-24°C (57-75°F)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5-8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative species tanks, nano tanks, planted aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eN\/A (Freshwater species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIdeal with peaceful shrimp, small snails and gentle nano fish that will not dig it out of the substrate or eat it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid loaches and other bottom-feeding fish that target small invertebrates, along with larger predatory fish, crayfish and puffers, all of which will readily eat a clam this size.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55411437961507,"sku":"AA6302","price":3.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/tasmanian-pea-clam-sphaerium-tasmanicum-3009594-600.jpg?v=1785804760","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/tasmanian-pea-clam-sphaerium-tasmanicum","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}