Silly Clam or Silly Owner?!?

DHS · 01-27-2003, 04:40 PM

Ok this may sound quite odd to some people...but here comes the story. I have a reef tank with a Chocolate Chip Starfish...he had been going through what I can only think of as a molt. So to perk him up a little bit I thought I'd go to the grocery store and pick up a little clam for him to munch on. I figured he'd find the thing, pry it open and dig right in, but low and behold the clam they sold me (70 cents) was a very live (very frozen) little bugger. Now I know most of you are used to the normal pretty version of SW clams but I thought maybe someone might have an idea about this food turned inhabitant of my tank. The clam is a 'NorthEast Saltwater Clam' least thats the name from the GS, he is a smooth shelled clam. He's taken to burying himself in the sand and just sticking himself to the glass at the bottom. Now I think he is a bottom feeder and doesn't like coming up much (puts up a good fight like a snail, and when I do get him up he buries him ASAP). Any info anyone may have about this thing would be most useful, cause though he may have been food at one point now he's a pet to me and I like to make sure everything lives a long life if possible.

Thanks,
DHS

**Ninong** · 01-28-2003, 09:16 AM

Hi DHS, welcome to Reefland!

"I have a reef tank with a Chocolate Chip Starfish."

Besides clams, chocolate chip starfish will eat both soft and hard corals. Not a recommended choice for a reeftank.

All clams are filter feeders, even the ones that bury in the substrate.

DHS · 01-28-2003, 09:46 AM

Yes I know all the warnings about CCS & eating corals...but so far I've been either lucky or the CCS just doesn't like them (though he has sucked the life out of one of my crabs). But my main questions still remain...since all clams are filter feeders is he simply filtering stuff at the bottom? is this a good thing? and do I need to feed him anything else/special to make sure he stays happy and alive?

Thanks everyone,
DHS

**Ninong** · 01-28-2003, 09:59 AM

You don't have to feed him anything special. He will filter whatever is in the water in spite of the fact that he lives in the sand. He may or may not survive longterm in your tank. Eventually your choc chip will be a big problem.

01-27-2003, 04:40 PM	#1
DHS New in Town Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Carrollton, TX Posts: 2	Silly Clam or Silly Owner?!? Ok this may sound quite odd to some people...but here comes the story. I have a reef tank with a Chocolate Chip Starfish...he had been going through what I can only think of as a molt. So to perk him up a little bit I thought I'd go to the grocery store and pick up a little clam for him to munch on. I figured he'd find the thing, pry it open and dig right in, but low and behold the clam they sold me (70 cents) was a very live (very frozen) little bugger. Now I know most of you are used to the normal pretty version of SW clams but I thought maybe someone might have an idea about this food turned inhabitant of my tank. The clam is a 'NorthEast Saltwater Clam' least thats the name from the GS, he is a smooth shelled clam. He's taken to burying himself in the sand and just sticking himself to the glass at the bottom. Now I think he is a bottom feeder and doesn't like coming up much (puts up a good fight like a snail, and when I do get him up he buries him ASAP). Any info anyone may have about this thing would be most useful, cause though he may have been food at one point now he's a pet to me and I like to make sure everything lives a long life if possible. Thanks, DHS __________________ Insanity is its own reward

01-28-2003, 09:16 AM	#2
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,660	Hi DHS, welcome to Reefland! "I have a reef tank with a Chocolate Chip Starfish." Besides clams, chocolate chip starfish will eat both soft and hard corals. Not a recommended choice for a reeftank. All clams are filter feeders, even the ones that bury in the substrate. __________________ Ninong

01-28-2003, 09:46 AM	#3
DHS New in Town Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Carrollton, TX Posts: 2	Yes I know all the warnings about CCS & eating corals...but so far I've been either lucky or the CCS just doesn't like them (though he has sucked the life out of one of my crabs). But my main questions still remain...since all clams are filter feeders is he simply filtering stuff at the bottom? is this a good thing? and do I need to feed him anything else/special to make sure he stays happy and alive? Thanks everyone, DHS __________________ Insanity is its own reward

01-28-2003, 09:59 AM	#4
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,660	You don't have to feed him anything special. He will filter whatever is in the water in spite of the fact that he lives in the sand. He may or may not survive longterm in your tank. Eventually your choc chip will be a big problem. __________________ Ninong

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