eagerinsight

I bought 2 clams compulsively today from a LFS. Only after adding them to my tank did I start reading about possible concerns. Questions;

Can I put them in a fish bowl without any means of filtration (I'll do water changes)? I have a small heater.

Should this tank have some substrate or can I just put them in a glass bowl full of water?

My LFS guy told me to use water from my main tanks water change and not plain treated tap water, true?

How long should they be quarantined?

I'm waiting for my LFS guy to reveal his source, he is sure that they are locally breed and has never had any complaints, but I want to be extra careful.

sirdarksol

I would not keep a clam in a bowl for any length of time, but it would be okay for a bit, probably. I suggest putting tank water in the bowl to put some bits of food in the water column for them.

Really, the biggest issues with clams are:
If they are wild, they have sucked up any toxins that may have been present in the water. For example, in a place where mercury is a problem, clams will likely be loaded with it. This stuff then has a chance of being released into the small, confined area of your tank.
They breed by spreading larvae that attach to the gills of fish. In theory, this doesn't hurt the fish, but there is the possibility, in such a confined space, of the larvae attaching in too great of a concentration, making breathing difficult for the fish.

I have taken this chance before. It didn't pan out. The clams died after a month, so I can't tell you how realistic these concerns are.

Chief_waterchanger

Some people also dislike the fact that they burrow in the substrate and are harder to find if they die. (If they die while under the substrate it may be a while before you realize they died.)

seedy

Hi eagerinsight
You probably need to identify where they came from , or the species.
Some freshwater clams/mussels can handle warm water while others can't.
Some can survive in still water while others need huge amounts of flowing water.
I think the LFS employee is right ( did I just type that ..lol ) about using the tank water as clean tap water probably wont have enough nutrients in it.
Here is a photo of mine

Attached Images

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