Clams

HI everyone,
Has anyone ever kept clams in your aqaurium? I have read that they are great water cleaners ,but I don't know any of the cons about keeping them. Thanks
Aaron

 

I don't think there is any cons. They don't do much and they are very easy to care for.

 

neat! There are freshwater clams ( I mean for aquariums..I knew they existed in the wild) !?!

 

Well from what I read they are somewhat difficult to take care of even for an experienced fish keeper. I think I am going to stay away from them since I am pretty sure most average aquariums cannot supply the micro organisms that they need to live long term.

 

They stay buried most of the time so you won't see much of them, and as obligate filter feeders, they can be quite difficult to keep.

 

HI I do keep Freshwater Clams.

Let me say this: They do not keep the water clean, they are "filter feeders" which is a different concept.

Cons first: They are quite fragile (in comparison with marine clams) and if they die unnoticed they could foul a small tank in no time.

Pros: They are fascinating to watch: check this vid I posted here in Fishlore:

For more info on keeping them, I posted my limited know how in this other thread:


Hope it helps.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

 

neat! There are freshwater clams ( I mean for aquariums..I knew they existed in the wild) !?!

Yes, they are basicly mussels... filter feeders...

 

Well from what I read they are somewhat difficult to take care of even for an experienced fish keeper. I think I am going to stay away from them since I am pretty sure most average aquariums cannot supply the micro organisms that they need to live long term.

Aaron: If you have a mature planted tank (say 6 months or older) you probably have in it all a Freshwater Clam needs to survive. I encourage you to experience keeping them when you are ready, just make sure you optimize biological filtration (easy to do by adding a sponge filter to the tank) just keep that tank as usual, avoid over-cleaning and it shall be OK.

Pepe
Santo Domingo