what type of clam is this?

[FishFriend9292]

neptunes mom- i believe its a tounge..foot...i dont know. LOL

[Indigo Betta]

Originally Posted by NeptunesMom

I know nothing about mussels or clams, but wanted to say that, you have a very neat little pet there. I have always thought they (mussels and clams) were unique and beautiful in their own way. I like to watch them stick their.. hand, foot, whatever it is, out. Its so darn cute.

thanks it is a neat a pet

[Skyewillow]

Originally Posted by FishFriend9292

neptunes mom- i believe its a tounge..foot...i dont know. LOL

The scientific name is a "mantle" (same as snails) but it's the equivalent of a foot

[Indigo Betta]

Originally Posted by MattsBettas

I just have to add that many people keep mussels and clams as pets, and would be very offended at what MSG said. I offended at it as well. This is a fishkeeping site, where people come to get advice about their pet and to gain knowledge. I simply do not see the point of posting pictures of dead clams on a thread asking how to care for clams. And it is no different from your dog, or a chicken, or a fish, or a cow, of even a leech. They are all animals, and someone out there cares about them.

i agreed i found MSG's post rude and unhelpful

[Indigo Betta]

i'm bored of this thread now

[FishFriend9292]

Thank you! I will never forget that random piece of information.

[Indigo Betta]

this thread has gone on too long i think its time it ended

[NeptunesMom]

Originally Posted by Skyewillow

The scientific name is a "mantle" (same as snails) but it's the equivalent of a foot

Good to know. I thought it was something like a foot or a hand.

[Sakura8]

I just want to say that if anyone has freshwater clams or mussels in their tanks, please be very careful not to allow them to escape into the waterways. One particular type of freshwater clam, the corbicula fluminea, is very invasive and breeds rapidly. There are other types that also breed rapidly as well.

Project attempts to smother invasive clams

In areas where it was accidentally introduced, it has literally choked waterways and displaced native species. Because this type of clam breeds rapidly, please be sure not to dispose of its offspring in any manner that could endanger your local ecological system.

Indigo, your clam/mussel may not be the type that rapidly breeds but I wanted to toss that out there for anyone reading the thread to be aware of the ecological dangers.

That said, I once thought about getting a freshwater clam myself. They are very good at keeping the substrate stirred up but they do require a deeper bed than normal, as they like to burrow down. They are filter feeders and unless your tank is seriously overstocked and overfed, they most likely won't get enough food without you target feeding them crumbled spirulina flakes or powder. A good way to feed them without polluting your tank is to use a turkey baster to squirt the powder/flakes close to them.

Enjoy your new pet!