Maxima Clam (Tridacna maxima)

Unfortunately, this clam took a very quick change for the worse a few days ago. I noticed that the clam was retracting it's mantle significantly and so I performed a freshwater dip and checked it for pyram snails. However, a few days after that it retracted all the way into it's shell and perished.

Not much change with this clam.

The maxima clam has un-attached from the rock-work and rolled itself in to the sand-bed. Maxima clams can been found on the sand-bed in the wild, but it is fairly rare. I will let it stay here for a few days before deciding whether to move it or not.

This picture shows the mantle pattern a little better. I tried to move the clam a little forward today but found that it has firmly attached itself to the rock underneath it.

The maxima clam is one the most demanding species in the Tridacna genus. It requires excellent lighting and is usually placed high among the rock-work in home aquarium. Maxima clams are among the smallest of the Giant Clams, reaching a maximum of about 12" only. They obtain most of their energy from photosynthesis but still benefit from phytoplankton target feeding.

This particular coloration is often referred to as "Teardrop Maxima" in the industry. Unfortunately, the color is a little washed out because of the camera angle. I will try playing with the "white balance" settings before taking another picture.