Zebra Black & White Maxima Clam – Tridacna maxima

• Date Added: 03/13/2009
• Status: Inactive 12/01/2012
• Purchased at: FAOIS
• Cost: $60.00
• Description: T. maxima has the widest distribution of any Tridacnid species. It is found from the Red Sea, throughout the Indo-Pacific region, to Australia and Polynesia. It usually occurs in shallow, clear water, high current areas where they form high-density populations. They will attach to the substrate with threads from the byssal organ.

  Maxima clams have many different colors and patterns. For this reason they are usually graded for sale in the aquarium industry. They require high light levels in the aquarium and are best placed high in the tank, close to the lights. They prefer rocky substrate to attach to. The reflection of colors will change as one views the mantle from different angles.

• Lighting: It is extremely important to provide Metal Halide as anything less will kill the majority of the variations in the species. Clams are considered more difficult to raise than SPS because of their lighting demands and biological complexity.
• Size: Maxima Clam Colored grows up to a width of around twenty inches.
• Color: Tridacna maxima occurs in electric Blue, Black, White, Yellow, Purple, Gold and Green colors.
• Habit & Habitat:
  • In its natural habitat, Maxima Clam Colored is generally found in groups in the shallow water regions, or at a depth of around forty-five feet in the marine water body it inhabits.
  • Tridacna maxima is found on reef tops anchored to sand or substrate with the help of its byssus filaments.
• Diet: Tridacna maxima mainly derives its nutrition mainly through photosynthesis, which is performed by Zooxanthellae, a photosynthetic algae living symbiotically within the mantle of the clam. In the majority of aquarium settings, supplemental feeding is not necessary if there is additional bioload such as fish as Tridacna depend on their Zooxanthelae to provide the majority of their glucose (energy) needs.
• Tips: When introducing clam, ensure you slowly drip acclimate from 1 – 2 hours. When placing clam in tank, ensure you gently rock the claim around to ensure all the air is released from as any trapped air will hinder filter feeding.

References

Fatherree, James. Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium. Liquid Medium, 2006.

Fatherree, James. “Reef Aquarium Lighting: How Much Light is Enough?” Liquid Medium Marine Aquarist’s Magazine. June 2008. Liquid Medium. http://www.liquid-medium.com/1_1/how_much_light.htm. Accessed 08 May 2009.