Flame Scallop

[debdp]

I just picked up a flame scallop for my 24g... it worked it's way to underneath my GSP in front of the tank, which is good so A I can see it and B I can feed it.

So I noticed on the edge of the clam like centered but just inside are two little white thingys. After reading how starfish like to eat their mantle I'm keeping a close watch as I've pulled one out sometime before and a couple asterinas... anyway they're not starfish. Is it a weird growth or part of their structure. Okay I just got a picture.

To me it looks like a locking device

 

[DaveJ]

You're going to need to target feed that with food, I believe DT's is too big for them to consume, so perhaps some phyto and other plankton sized foods. Keep an eye on it as they have a poor survival rate, though some people have kept them a number of years.

 

[debdp]

@DaveJ wrote:

I was reading about that... that most only last 6 months which is how long it takes for them to starve. Otherwise, their lifespan is only about 2-3 years (if I remember correctly) Anyway, I have been target feeding it. But I've been using DT's Phytoplankton in the a.m. ... and later DT's mixed with some frozen Coral Food Mix which contains rotifers and other planktonic foods. If there are other suggestions for foods all input would be greatly appreciated. I'm not even sure how often it should be fed. Thanks.

 

[DaveJ]

@debdp wrote:

I was reading about that... that most only last 6 months which is how long it takes for them to starve. Otherwise, their lifespan is only about 2-3 years (if I remember correctly) Anyway, I have been target feeding it. But I've been using DT's Phytoplankton in the a.m. ... and later DT's mixed with some frozen Coral Food Mix which contains rotifers and other planktonic foods. If there are other suggestions for foods all input would be greatly appreciated. I'm not even sure how often it should be fed. Thanks."]

Not sure, its the size of the food that matters most, that is all I know. DT's says its good for clams and such, but I have read (take that for what its worth) that its too big for them to consume. The rotifiers and such might be the right size though. Only time will tell.

 

[fangeo]

I have had mine for over a year... never target feed, i guess i have just been lucky..

 

[debdp]

@fangeo wrote:

May I ask what size tank you have and what you feed your other animals? That would help me out a lot.

As of now during the night the scallop moved. Took me 15 minutes to find it in a 24g tank :? The tank is set up for pearly jawfish (on order) so the main center rock is about 25# and in 4-5" of sand. The scallop worked its way to the back and found a crevice inside the rock about half way up... amazing how these guys can find niches... I deliberately set the back area with rockwork for a cave for my shrimp so it's nice and dark. So if its happy that's fine. I can at least use a flashlight to check on it once in a while. At least I got one good picture

I have a Hawaiian feather duster in the tank so I've been feeding phytoplankton and frozen Coral Mix Food daily along with some cyclopeze. The duster's tube has grown an inch in the few months that I've had it and it's attached itself to the main large rock and another smaller rock. So if it's doing well hopefully the scallop will be okay.

I read they really like rotifers but my attempts at growing phyto failed so I'll probably mess that up, too.

 

[harial]

you need to feed the scallop food that is roughly 5-50 um. DT's phyto is 2-20 microns in size and should be appropriate however many people have tried this and the scallop still starved to death. I believe this is because in the wild this animal feeds on invert eggs and larvae so that is what I would go with. Try DT's Oyster eggs with a size range of 40-50 microns. It's a bit big however, that is what I would go with.

 

[debdp]

Thanks Harial. I'm thinking to pick up some oyster eggs and some LiquidLife Coral Plankton (2-200 microns) and some Kent Chromaplex 5-25 microns. With that mix something should take care of its needs and provide a nice variety with the DTs. The extra food won't go to waste as it can be used in my other tanks anyway.