{"product_id":"tridacna-clam-tridacna-sp","title":"Tridacna Clam | Tridacna sp.","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew animals bring a reef aquarium to life quite like a Tridacna clam. Their fleshy mantles unfurl in electric blues, teals, golds and greens that shift with the light, and no two clams are ever patterned alike. Beyond their beauty they are living filters, drawing nutrients and light from the water column. With bright lighting and stable water chemistry they become a long-lived centrepiece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTridacna clams are found across the shallow, sunlit reefs and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific, including Australia's own Great Barrier Reef. They wedge themselves among rock and rubble or rest on sand in water shallow enough for intense tropical sunlight to reach their mantles, where their symbiotic algae photosynthesise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA thick, fluted shell opens to reveal a broad, colourful mantle patterned in iridescent spots and stripes. Colour varies enormously between individuals and species — maxima and crocea clams tend to show the most vivid blues and greens, while derasa and squamosa clams grow larger with more subdued but no less striking patterns. Depending on species, a healthy clam may reach anywhere from around 15 cm to over 30 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClams are completely peaceful and sessile, spending their lives anchored in one favourite spot. The main risks come from tank mates rather than the clam itself: some wrasses, angelfish, pufferfish and predatory crabs or snails will nip at or attack the mantle. House them only with peaceful, reef-appropriate companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTridacna clams derive most of their energy from photosynthesis via the symbiotic zooxanthellae in their mantle, which is why strong lighting is essential. They also filter-feed on dissolved nutrients and phytoplankton from the water. Smaller clams under about 5 cm rely more heavily on feeding and benefit from regular dosing of a quality phytoplankton or filter-feeder food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide high-intensity reef lighting and acclimate clams gradually to it, as they can be shocked by a sudden change in brightness. Because clams build shell quickly, they draw heavily on calcium and alkalinity — keep calcium around 400–450 ppm, alkalinity 8–10 dKH and magnesium at natural seawater levels. Like all marine invertebrates they are extremely sensitive to copper, so never use copper-based medications in their system. Drip-acclimate new arrivals slowly, and place the clam securely so it cannot topple. Maintain stable salinity and good water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTridacna clams are broadcast spawners and are protandric hermaphrodites, maturing first as males before also developing female organs. Commercial aquaculture of giant clams is well established, but spawning and rearing larvae is not practical in a home aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTridacna sp.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTridacna Clam \/ Giant Clam\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–30+ cm (species dependent)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20+ 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\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhotosynthetic (zooxanthellae); phytoplankton for small specimens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecific Gravity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.024–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEstablished reef aquariums with strong lighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (marine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful reef fish such as small gobies, clownfish, chromis and firefish, along with reef-safe shrimp, snails and corals. Clams do beautifully in a well-lit mixed reef among soft and stony corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid clam-nipping or mantle-picking species including many angelfish and larger wrasses, pufferfish, triggerfish, and predatory invertebrates such as crabs, whelks and pyramid snails. Anything that harasses the mantle will cause the clam to stay closed and slowly decline.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55232714801443,"sku":"BA8106","price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/tridacna-clam-tridacna-sp","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}