Freshwaterr Clams...?

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Chad55

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MFK Member
Jun 10, 2005
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Michigan
I know where I can get some freshwater clams and I was wondering if they would do good in an outdoor pond in Michigan? I think it would be so cool to have them in my pond. If you guys give it the go ahead then I think I may run out tonight and get a few.

Chad
 
Who is some? I am going to have to look into this.

Chad
 
Never heard of the parasite thing.

Do you have a sand bottom in the pond? or some kind of substrate.

Tho clams do filter the water they also pollute it (give and take). Make sure they are not zebra mussles they're illegal. Check your F&W site to make sure what your getting isn't protected also.

But they are interesting.

Dr Joe

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There are more than one type of FW clam, Some NA FW "mussels" have a hitchhiker stage but golden asians don't. They are illegal in some states. Here in Oregon they are found in many rivers. Franks Aquarium carries several types (check the buy and sell) there are also several other suppliers. Any seller should be able to tell you if the species they sell has a parasitic stage.
 
Yea the pond has a couple inches of sand on the bottom washedin from rain when it was first built because I did not have the sides raised at all. I think I am going to keep an eye out for them. I want to get some so I hope I can find some.

Chad
 
In a tank it could be different though because wouldn't there not be as much for them to eat? I mean my pond is 800 gallons and nice green water haha. But does anyone know what the big like 3-4" grayish species is. I know that is very vauge but there isn't a whole lot of characteristics to explain on a clam. I know they are probably a more common species. I just don't want to get a parasitic type.

Chad
 
Golden Asian clams will not survive freezing or cool temperatures as they are tropical animals. Also you will need 10g for each inch of clams as they are filter feeders. They are hard to keep alive in aquariums because aquariums are generally pretty clean of particulate matter. I have 3 Golden Asian clams, the survivors of a shipment of 30. I have them in my indoor aquariums and have had them for over a year. They don't do much, they just hide in the sand and open up when they get hungry.
 
some of the f.w. mussels are parasitic in their larval stage. They drop off the fish's gills after a few weeks and settle into the bottom of the tank. Mussels, wouldn't do well in your pond unless you have some pretty decent water movement. In order to keep a bi-valve happy in a tank you'd have to dose it with phyto at least once per day in order to meet their nutritional needs.
 
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