[traveller7]

Happy Holidays folks.

When we are keeping multiple species on the same tank, has anyone charted the differing growth rates?

In one of my tanks I have had a 3" Hippopus, 3" Derasa and 2.5" Squamosa growing nicely. The Derasa much quicker then the others. Added a 5" Squamosa from another tank and he seems to be a Calcium sump. Growth spurt on him and the others growth slows to a crawl.

Calcium is down from 425 to 400pm though.......maybe time to add a Calcium reactor

Bottom line: Is growth rate more species, size, individual or just dependent on "magic"

[Barry N.]

Of all the Tridacnid, the Gigas grows the fastest IMO then the Derasa. You ca levels look good but I still feed my tank Dt's and KoralVit on a regular basis.

Barry

[Minh Nguyen]

Larger clams will out compete smaller ones. Because of this reason, if there is shortage of nutrients or other needed material, the larger clams with larger reserves will cause death of younger and smaller clams. However, IME from keeping all 5 Tridacna species continuously for the last 5 years, Gigas will grow the fastest then Derasa. Squamosa follow very close to Derasa. Maxima and Crocea grow much slower with slowest is Crocea. Each species also have variation in growth. I think this is dependent on the genetic of each clam, just like some fish are slower in growth than their brothers and sisters in the same spawn.
Minh Nguyen