Scientific
Name: Tridacna maxima
Family:
Clams / Bivalves
Common Names: Maxima Clam
Description:
T. maxima exhibit a wide range of colors and patterns in
their mantles. Main color is frequently blue, green, gray, brown,
purple or yellow. The background color usually has blotches or
stripped pattern in a contrasting color. The shell is elongated with
scutes. The scutes are frequently absent on the bottom part of the
shell where they have been worn off where they have embedded themselves
into the substrate. The incurrent siphon has small tentacles. The mantle
sometimes has protuberances, usually only along the edge. Maximum size is approximately
14". Easily confused with T. crocea.
Natural Environment:
Indo-Pacific in reef top, shallow water, high current areas where they embed themselves
partially into
the substrate (rock or rubble) attached by their strong byssus filaments. They are also
sometimes found at depths of up to 45 feet. T. maxima clams in the
hobby are both wild caught and farmed.
Care:
Hardiness: T. maxima is a moderately
hardy clam which usually does well in reef tanks given strong lighting and clear
water conditions with low to moderate water flow.
Lighting: Requires fairly intense lighting, preferably MH.
The clam coloration can change depending upon lighting conditions. The top
clam was solid blue under 6.5K lighting and the grey edging occurred once the
lighting was changed to 10K. All clams in these pictures are kept under
400W 10K MH lighting.
Water Current:
Low to moderate.
Temperature:
Does well within normal reef tank temperature ranges of
75-84°F.
Aggressiveness: None
Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic. They may benefit
from feedings of phytoplankton, but it is not required.
Supplements: Proper calcium levels (350-500 milligrams per liter) are important for
growth as is maintaining good alkalinity levels.
Tank Positioning: Position on the substrate in the bottom of
the tank in a low to moderate water flow area. Can also be positioned on
live rock if care is taken to locate it so that it cannot move and fall from its
perch.
Further Reading:
Tridacna
maxima
— Widespread and Hardy
