Scientific Name: Tridacna crocea
Aquired: 12.2006
Info: The mantle of the Crocea Clam, also called the Boring Clam or Crocus Clam, is a mixture of colors. Super colored clams are a vibrant metallic blue, green, or blue/green coloratin with unusual patterns on the mantle. Standard Crocea clams are purple with shades of browns and yellows. The Crocea Clam penetrates through limestone substrates by releasing an acid to break down the carbonate in the stone. It uses the ridges of its thick shell to dig into the rock by opening and closing quickly through the use of its bysal muscles. It is the smallest of the "giant" clams, so this burrowing behavior helps to protect it from predators such as starfish and butterflyfish.
Being the smallest of the giant clams, this species reaches a maximum size of about 6 inches. In the wild, the Crocea Clams often live together in great congregations. In the home aquarium, the Crocea Clam needs bright lighting to live, grow, and keep its intense colors. It requires calcium levels of at least 280 mg/L, preferably 400-480 mg/L to grow. Proper levels of strontium and iodine are also needed. All clams also require micro foods designed for filter feeders, especially when small. Offer phytoplankton and other micro-foods, such as
Issues: none
Scientific Name: Lysmata debelius
Aquired: 11.2006
Info: The Blood Red Fire Shrimp, also known as Blood Shrimp, Fire Shrimp, or Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp, is one of the most popular shrimp in the aquarium hobby. It has a blood-red body with white spots and long white antennae. Depending on which region of the Indo-Pacific from which it originates, it may have the white dots just on its carapace, or covering its entire body.
The Blood Red Fire Shrimp prefers a habitat providing it with a cave or overhang where the lighting is not too intense. While it will tolerate its mate, others of its own kind will be chased away or harassed. It is generally peaceful with most other organisms in the reef system unless they impinge on its territory. As a "cleaner shrimp," it will set up cleaning stations and remove dead tissue and parasites from fish that present themselves. It will also scavenge for meaty bits along the substrate bottom. Often, only its antennae will be visible. It will not tolerate copper or high levels of nitrates in the aquarium, but will require correct levels of iodine in the water to promote proper molting.
The diet of the Blood Red Fire Shrimp should include freeze-dried, live or frozen foods, and flaked foods.
Issues: none
Scientific Name: Tridacna crocea
Aquired: 4.2006
Info: The mantle of the Crocea Clam, also called the Boring Clam or Crocus Clam, is a mixture of colors. Super colored clams are a vibrant metallic blue, green, or blue/green coloratin with unusual patterns on the mantle. Standard Crocea clams are purple with shades of browns and yellows. The Crocea Clam penetrates through limestone substrates by releasing an acid to break down the carbonate in the stone. It uses the ridges of its thick shell to dig into the rock by opening and closing quickly through the use of its bysal muscles. It is the smallest of the "giant" clams, so this burrowing behavior helps to protect it from predators such as starfish and butterflyfish.
Being the smallest of the giant clams, this species reaches a maximum size of about 6 inches. In the wild, the Crocea Clams often live together in great congregations. In the home aquarium, the Crocea Clam needs bright lighting to live, grow, and keep its intense colors. It requires calcium levels of at least 280 mg/L, preferably 400-480 mg/L to grow. Proper levels of strontium and iodine are also needed. All clams also require micro foods designed for filter feeders, especially when small. Offer phytoplankton and other micro-foods, such as
Issues: none
Scientific Name: Tridacna maxima
Aquired: 3.2006
Info: The Bicolor Blenny is also known as the Two-colored Blenny. The Bicolor is so-named because the anterior half is blue to dull brown, and the posterior half is dull orange. Males are generally larger than females and experience a succession of color changes, including blue, when breeding. These Blennies exhibit great personality in the aquarium.
Generally found amid crevices and rocks on the bottom of its environment, the Bicolor Blenny needs a tank of at least 30 gallons with scattered rocks for perching and hiding. Opinions are mixed as to whether the Bicolor Blenny is a peaceful tank member and safe for invertebrates. Some believe the Bicolor Blenny is not safe with other species members and may pick on gobies and firefish. Others say the Bicolor Blenny is a peaceful community fish. Some say the Bicolor Blenny is safe around invertebrates and other sources say it will eat them. The best alternative is probably to combine these groups cautiously.
The diet of the Bicolor Blenny should include vegetable matter, including frozen and dried foods containing marine and blue-green algae. It will also feed on (and help control) algae growing in the aquarium.
Issues: none
Scientific Name: Lysmata amboinensis
Aquired: 12.2005
Info: The Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is also known as the Indo-Pacific White-Banded Cleaner Shrimp, Indo-Pacific White-Striped Cleaner Shrimp, and Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp. It may also be called the Red Skunk Cleaner Shrimp because of the very distinct two bright red stripes surrounding one white stripe running down its back. There are two species usually referred to as striped cleaner shrimp, the L. amboinensis with white spots at the end of the tail and, from the Atlantic, the L. grabhami that has no spots. The L. amboinensis is one of the most popular shrimp for the home aquarium.
Often found in groups, this Cleaner Shrimp will set up a cleaning station on coral reefs or rubble, waiting for fish to come and be cleaned. It feeds on ectoparasites or dead tissue that it picks from the body and oral cavities/gills of these fish (e.g.; Tangs or Groupers) in the wild or in the aquarium. This also helps to protect the fish from contracting diseases and infections. Many fish value its services so highly that they will allow it to clean the inside of their mouths, and not harm it. Some fish, though, such as Hawkfish, Lionfish, and some predatory shrimp and crabs may eat the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. It will not tolerate copper or high levels of nitrates in the aquarium, but will require correct levels of iodine in the water to promote proper molting.
In the aquarium, the diet can include freeze dried, frozen, and dry foods.
Issues: none