Giant Clams
Coley Loudermilk and Grey Poplin
Introduction: Why we chose it
● Different species in the same
environment
● Recognize patterns
● Growth
Identification
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Introduction: Background of Clam
● Rely on food and light
● Filter feeders
● Food sources: plankton and/or Symbiodinium(Castro/
Huber 380)
● Rely on symbiotic zooxanthellae in their mantles
o Not enough plankton for them on coral reefs
(Karleskint 151)
● Provide Symbiodinium with nitrogen and carbon
dioxide
Introduction: Research Questions
1. What is the typical growth rate of clams?
2. Does water temperature affect the growth of clams?
3. Because the clams belong to different species, does the amount of light
they need in order to grow differ?
4. If giant clams are placed at different depths in the tank, will their overall
growth differ?
5. Does any specific food or nutrient improve giant clams growth? - fed
plankton indirectly
Background of Literature
● Giant Clams by Daniel Knop
● Giant Clams in the Sea and the
Aquarium by James Fatherree
● Growth of Cultured Clams by Robert J
Toonen
● Intro to Marine Bio by George Karles Kint
Jr.
Introduction: Hypothesis
Hypothesis: If different species of clams are placed in the
same tank with same amount of light and food source, then
the clams will all show different patterns of growth
according to their genetics
Materials and Methods: Research
Plan
Plan:
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Research how a clams growth can change when their environment is altered through light
and food source
Change the amount of light and food intake in the frag tank
Lighting is very essential to the wellbeing of giant clams because it allows them to gain
energy in order to grow. To give their symbiodinium maximum light, giant clams drape
their mantle over the sides of their shells in order to be fully exposed (Karleskint 293).
Collect data, which will allow us to observe any changes
Measure each clams growth daily and test the temperature, pH, salinity, and alkalinity of
the frag tank in order to maintain a comfortable environment for our clams to live and
grow in
When collecting all of this data from the Frag Tank, we will record it on data sheets to
organize what we have found
Materials and Methods: Research
Plan
Experiments:
● Shade
● Calcium levels
Materials: saltwater tank (frag), metal
halide lights and actinic lights, food, ruler,
thermometer, hydrometer, pH test kit,
alkalinity test kit
Datasheet
1.What is the typical growth
rate?
● Squamosa: 30 to 40 cm in length
● Maxima: 30 to 40 cm in length
● Deresa: 50 to 60 cm in length
● Our clams started out as 5.5 cm, 5 cm, and 5 cm
● Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium - James
Fatherree
2. Does temperature affect
growth?
● Growth rate of clams increases at higher temps (86
degrees fahrenheit )
● Grow fastest at temps just below what would kill them
● 77 degrees fahrenheit is a stable temperature
● Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium - James
Fatherree
3. Because the clams belong to different species, does
the amount of light they need in order to grow differ?
4. Does any specific food or nutrient improve giant
clams growth?
5. If giant clams are placed at different depths in the
tank, will their overall growth differ?
Graph: Monthly Average Growth
Graph: Metal Halide vs Actinic
Lights
Clam Videos
http://giantclam.wiki.lovett.org/Videos
Reflection on Hypothesis
Hypothesis: If different species of clams are placed in the same tank with same
amount of light and food source, then the clams will all show different patterns
of growth according to their genetics.
Maxima: 5.5cm - 6.5cm
Derasa: 5cm
Squamosa: 5.5cm
Challenges
● Restrictions
● Derasa died - hermit crabs (Giant Clams
by Daniel Knop)
● Salinity levels (James Fatherre)
More Complete...
● Alter temperature
● Add calcium to overflow (Giant Clams in
the Sea and the Aquarium - James
Fatherree)
Research and Results
● Based around finding ways to help the clams
grow
● Clams did not grow significantly over the 65
days of observing them
● In order for noticeable clam growth you must
change the frag tank conditions drastically
● The mantle of the clams grew while the shell
did not
Future
● Place clams at all different depths to
observe growth
● Reef holders
● Make sure clams are not handled often
● Check calcium levels more often
Bibliography
Bay Aquarium, Montery. "Giant Clam Natural History." Montery Bay Aquarium. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animalguide/invertebrates/giant-clam>.
Benzie, John A. H., and Suzanne T. Williams. "Genetic Structure of Giant Clam Populations in the West Pacific is Not Consistent with Dispersal by Present-Day Ocean
Currents." Society for the Study of Evolution: n. pag. Jstor. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/2411153>.
Castro, Peter, and Michael E. Huber. Marine Biology. N.p.: McGraw Hill, 2010. Print.
Karleskint, George, Jr. Introduction to Marine Biology. Orlando: Saunders College Publishing, n.d. Print.
Kunzmann, A. "Physiological Performance of Giant Clams in a Recirculation System." Nova. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs/proceedings/files/m10-07.pdf>.
Neigut, Barry. "Giant Clam Basics." Fish Channel. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.fishchannel.com/saltwater-aquariums/reefkeeping/giant-clam-basics.aspx>.
Toonen, Robert J., et al. "Growth of Cultured Giant Clams." Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: n.in Growth of Cultured Giant Clams. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N.
pag. Print.
Wilkens, Lon A. "Visual Adaptations in Tridacna: Behavioral Adaptions." Biological Bulletin: n. pag. Jstor. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/1541850>.
Fatherree, James. Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium. Tampa, Florida: Liquid Medium, 2006. Print.
Knop, Daniel. Giant Clams. N.p.: Kraft Druck GmbH, 1996. Print.
Gilbert, Antoine, et al. "The Giant clam Tridacna maxima communities of three French Polynesia islands: comparison of their population sizes and structures at early stages of
their exploitation." Oxford Journals (2006): n. pag. Print.