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Hippopus clams are a separate genus from Tridacna but in the same family - distinguished by their flatter shell shape and "horse hoof" silhouette (Hippopus means "horse foot"). Mantle is brown to gold with subtle striping. Less colorful than Tridacna but extremely hardy and tolerant of imperfect parameters. Good entry-level large clam.
Native range: Indo-Pacific. Most US trade specimens come through marine wholesale suppliers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Wild collection remains the primary sourcing method for the majority of marine inverts - few are captive-bred at commercial scale. Quality of acclimation at the wholesale/retail stage is the biggest single predictor of long-term survival in home aquaria.
Tank size: 75 gallons. Parameters: temperature 76-82°F, salinity 1.024-1.026, plus the standard reef tank requirements - stable calcium 420-440 ppm, alkalinity 8-10 dKH, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm, nitrate under 25 ppm, phosphate under 0.05 ppm. The species requires conditions consistent with a healthy reef tank rather than nutrient-stripped sterile water - well-established systems with diverse microfauna and biofilm typically support these inverts better than newly-cycled tanks.
Lighting: depends on species. Photosynthetic inverts (clams, anemone-symbiotic species) require high-PAR reef LED lighting. Filter-feeders (worms, scallops) prefer moderate lighting and benefit from particulate-rich water. Flow: moderate, indirect flow works for most inverts - direct high-velocity flow stresses or damages soft-bodied species.
Acclimation: drip acclimate over 2-4 hours for hardy species, 4-8 hours for sensitive species (Linckia stars, sea hares, demanding nudibranchs). Never expose inverts to air during transfer - capture in a bowl underwater and transfer wet.
Hippopus Clam diet: Photosynthetic + filter feeding. Feeding strategy depends on dietary type. Algae eaters require established tanks with biofilm and microalgae growth - new tanks lack the algal base they need. Carnivore inverts (starfish, some snails) need targeted meaty feedings 2-3x weekly. Filter feeders (clams, worms, scallops) need phytoplankton in the water column. Photosynthetic species need adequate lighting plus supplemental amino acid or coral food dosing.
Safe: Most reef-safe fish + corals.
Avoid: Mantle-nippers.
Same as other Tridacnids.
Less colorful than Tridacna species (some keepers find them too plain); shell damage; pyramidellid snails.
Different genus but same family (Tridacnidae). Hippopus has flatter shell and less colorful mantle.
Yes - probably the most beginner-friendly giant clam due to tolerance for moderate lighting and parameter variation.
Less mantle coloration - more brown/gold rather than electric blue or purple. Less expensive accordingly.
6-8" specimens $60-150. Significantly cheaper than equivalent-sized Maxima or Crocea.
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