Q about Freshwater Clams

[West1]

I am interested in trying them out in my freshwater set up. Do you think they are to risky to add in a Sump from your prize fish??

From what I hear is they are real easy to keep. I was thinking of adding a small cichlid to the sump incase it dies, the cichlid can eat it before it kills my tank.

Also, do you think they would eat lil bugs or parasites (example... springtales)??

Thanks

 

[WahooWillie]

The only problem is that they sift through the water for tiny organisms and detritus. Tanks are typically too 'clean' for them, so they need constant input from outside sources. Sure they will live for a little while, but they will soon run out of food. You will need to go out, find some 'stained' water from a pond or river and keep adding to the tank.
You should see how fast a group of just a few mussels can clear out tank with brown water ...
Check with your local authorities about keeping mussels. If you are talking about the Asian clam, then there should be little problem.

I see you already touched on it, but dead clams/mussels can foul a tank pretty quickly if they die buried in the substrate.

 

[West1]

The only problem is that they sift through the water for tiny organisms and detritus. Tanks are typically too 'clean' for them, so they need constant input from outside sources. Sure they will live for a little while, but they will soon run out of food. You will need to go out, find some 'stained' water from a pond or river and keep adding to the tank.
You should see how fast a group of just a few mussels can clear out tank with brown water ...
Check with your local authorities about keeping mussels. If you are talking about the Asian clam, then there should be little problem.

I see you already touched on it, but dead clams/mussels can foul a tank pretty quickly if they die buried in the substrate.

I have done some searching but not much. I was thinking of putting 1pc in my 60gl Sump with about 1" of sand or pebbles. Also maybe a Tropheus (how ever you spell it) incase it dies and the clam parts open the cichlid can go to town.

You think its to risky? My water is not bad at all... just see some pcs of debree from the high current and some springtails that I thought the clam could handle for me??

 

[SubNoiZe]

I have a few mussels in each of my tanks, and once or twice a week, I crush up some algae wafers into a fine powder and drop 'em in the tank.