Mark Martin on Clams for the Saltwater Aquarium
Tips for Keeping Tropical Marine Aquarium Clams
Clams are not for everyone, but in the proper environment, they can easily become the centerpiece of a reef aquarium. With a reputation as being hard-to-keep, however, some hobbyists are afraid to take the plunge. While most clams are not appropriate for the beginning aquarist, the reality is that a little knowledge can go a long way toward success. To learn more about clams, Suite101’s saltwater fish feature writer sat down with Mark Martin, director of marine animal research at Los Angeles-based Blue Zoo Aquatics and the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Saltwater Aquarium (Alpha 2009).
Martin, early in his career in the marine ornamental industry, spent more than a year working with the Tahitian and French governments to successfully and sustainably export maxima clams from Tahiti. During that time, he visited both clam farms and populations of wild clams. As such he is very familiar with these magnificent animals.
Who Should Keep Clams?
The question of who should consider keeping clams is a good place to start, and Martin’s answer is immediate. “Serious hobbyists,” he says. “Clams are not really for casual fanciers of saltwater tanks or for people using an aquarium as decor only.” He explains that keeping clams successfully has a lot to do with maintaining water quality, and the aquarist who is involved with monitoring his or her tank on a daily basis will have the most success.
“Anybody with a fish-only tank with non-standard filtration and normal output lighting would also want to steer clear of clams,” says Martin. In most cases, the fish in a fish-only aquarium may nip at or eat various invertebrates, including clams. “Further,” adds Martin, “clams need higher levels of calcium than are found in most fish-only systems.”
Filtration Equipment for Clams
Martin explains that the clam-ready aquarium will need standard filtration. “By standard,” Martin explains, “I mean an aquarium that has, at a minimum, a protein skimmer and live rock or other means of providing robust biological filtration.” Martin prefers the filtration system for a tank housing clams to be sump-based. “Sump-based filtration provides added water volume, which assists with overall stability, and it makes it easy to run sump-based filtration devices such as a large protein skimmer, reverse flow substrate reactors and dosing equipment.”
Lighting and Flow: Two Important Reef Aquarium Parameters
Light and flow are two very important considerations for all reef aquarists, and the individual considering a clam is no different. “There are many types of clams, and not all require the same lighting needs,” says Martin, disbanding the myth that all clams need high-intensity lighting. “Having said that,” he adds, “two of my favorite clam species—crocea and maxima clams—need more light than others.” While Martin explains that gigas and derasa clams can get by in deeper tanks (14 inches or more) or under power compacts or T5 lighting, the crocea and maxima clams do best under high-intensity, reef-ready lights.” The more colorful the clam, he points out, the more light it requires.
In terms of flow, Martin reminds aquarists that clams are filter feeders. “They rely on the water flow in the aquarium to bring them food,” he explains. Too much flow, however, can cause the clam to become irritated and not open. “As with most things in this hobby,” Martin says, “it’s a balancing act. Be sure there is good flow, but also avoid blasting the clam with current.” Observing the clam’s behavior will be the aquarists’ best guide, Martin says.
Clams Make a Reef Tank More Stable
“One of the best things about clams,” says Martin, “is that, in addition to the outrageous colors and intrinsic beauty of these animals, the clam itself removes nitrates from the water.” Clams are constantly filtering the aquarium water, meaning that a tank with one or more clams can be a more stable and healthy environment. “I’m not suggesting to go out and buy a clam as a quick fix for a nitrate problem,” cautions Martin, “but clams can help a well-functioning reef function even better.”
AIC101
Aquarium Maxima Clam
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Mark Martin from Blue Zoo Aquatics
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