saddle back clown and Crocea clam

Nano Nano1975 · 12-28-2006, 09:49 PM

i have in my tank a tank raised saddle back clown and a Crocea clam i have noticed in the last week or so the saddle back clown playing in an protecting the clam as if it were a Anemone. My ? is should i be worried that my clam is not going to get enough food .his (the clam) color is good an all just alittle concerned .

thanks for any help
Nano Nano1975

**Ninong** · 12-29-2006, 12:41 PM

Clownfish sometimes adopt strange surrogate hosts in captivity. I have read other reports of clownfish hovering over clams. Usually they move on to something else after awhile.

I'm not sure what you mean by the clam not getting enough food, unless you're talking about the clownfish blocking the light and reducing the amount of photosynthesis that can take place in the mantle? If the clam is more than 3" across, it gets more than 90% of its nutrition from photosynthesis of its zooxanthellae. It gets the rest of its nutrition from direct uptake of nitrate and from filtering phytoplankton and minute particulates from the water column. I don't see how the clownfish could possible interfere with that???

Anyway, I don't think you have anything to worry about and I doubt the clownfish will maintain its interest in the clam very long anyway.

P.S. -- Crocea clams require the most light of any of the Tridacnids. They should be placed on the rock structure high in the tank so that they can get as much light as possible and so that they can attach to the rock's surface.

Nano Nano1975 · 12-29-2006, 07:40 PM

ok thank you . i was concerned yes as for as the clown covering the vent .the clown is two inches and the clam is four inches and he just stays at the* biggest vent on the clam an i have turned the clam an the clown goes back to the big vent so thats what i was the most cocerned withbut you think that the clam will be fine ?

thank you very much for your help this forum has been a tank saver thanks again

an i will keep you informed of the clowns residency

thanks
DAREN

**Ninong** · 12-29-2006, 07:45 PM

I have heard of clowns doing this with clams but I have never heard of them keeping it up very long. They usually find something else to adopt as a surrogate host.

Nano Nano1975 · 12-29-2006, 09:48 PM

cool thanks agian for all your help

12-28-2006, 09:49 PM	#1
Nano Nano1975 Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Eudora, Kansas Posts: 26	saddle back clown and Crocea clam i have in my tank a tank raised saddle back clown and a Crocea clam i have noticed in the last week or so the saddle back clown playing in an protecting the clam as if it were a Anemone. My ? is should i be worried that my clam is not going to get enough food .his (the clam) color is good an all just alittle concerned . thanks for any help Nano Nano1975 __________________ You Have To Do What You Have To Do Before You Can Do What You Want To Do

12-29-2006, 12:41 PM	#2
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20,692	Clownfish sometimes adopt strange surrogate hosts in captivity. I have read other reports of clownfish hovering over clams. Usually they move on to something else after awhile. I'm not sure what you mean by the clam not getting enough food, unless you're talking about the clownfish blocking the light and reducing the amount of photosynthesis that can take place in the mantle? If the clam is more than 3" across, it gets more than 90% of its nutrition from photosynthesis of its zooxanthellae. It gets the rest of its nutrition from direct uptake of nitrate and from filtering phytoplankton and minute particulates from the water column. I don't see how the clownfish could possible interfere with that??? Anyway, I don't think you have anything to worry about and I doubt the clownfish will maintain its interest in the clam very long anyway. P.S. -- Crocea clams require the most light of any of the Tridacnids. They should be placed on the rock structure high in the tank so that they can get as much light as possible and so that they can attach to the rock's surface. __________________ Ninong

12-29-2006, 07:40 PM	#3
Nano Nano1975 Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Eudora, Kansas Posts: 26	ok thank you . i was concerned yes as for as the clown covering the vent .the clown is two inches and the clam is four inches and he just stays at the* biggest vent on the clam an i have turned the clam an the clown goes back to the big vent so thats what i was the most cocerned withbut you think that the clam will be fine ? thank you very much for your help this forum has been a tank saver thanks again an i will keep you informed of the clowns residency thanks DAREN __________________ You Have To Do What You Have To Do Before You Can Do What You Want To Do

12-29-2006, 07:45 PM	#4
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20,692	I have heard of clowns doing this with clams but I have never heard of them keeping it up very long. They usually find something else to adopt as a surrogate host. __________________ Ninong

12-29-2006, 09:48 PM	#5
Nano Nano1975 Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Eudora, Kansas Posts: 26	cool thanks agian for all your help __________________ You Have To Do What You Have To Do Before You Can Do What You Want To Do

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