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Crocea clams are the smallest Tridacna species - maxing out around 6 inches - which makes them perfect for nano reef setups. Mantle colors include electric blue, ultra blue, green, and gold with often dramatic patterns. Demands the highest PAR of any common reef clam (300-500 PAR) to maintain color.
Native range: Indo-Pacific reefs. 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: 30 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.
Crocea 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: Reef-safe fish, peaceful corals.
Avoid: Mantle-nippers.
Same as other Tridacna.
Insufficient lighting causes bleaching; difficult relocation once attached to rock; pyramidellid parasites.
High-PAR light exposure intensifies zooxanthellae expression and mantle pigmentation. Captive specimens kept in lower light fade quickly.
Difficult and risky. The byssal gland creates strong attachment to rock. If you must move it, carefully cut the byssal threads with a sterile blade - never pull.
2-3" specimens $80-300 depending on color. Ultra-grade specimens $400-800.
Yes - small adult size makes them well-suited to tanks 30-50 gallons. The lighting requirement is the gating factor.
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