{"product_id":"gold-clam-corbicula-fluminea-freshwater","title":"Gold Freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eGold Freshwater Clam\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCorbicula fluminea\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Golden Clam or Asian Clam, is a small burrowing bivalve with a glossy golden yellow shell ringed with fine growth ridges. Half buried in soft sand with its two tiny siphons showing, it pulls water in, strains out microscopic food, and pushes the clean water back out. It is a genuinely interesting animal to keep, but it is not a set and forget cleanup crew member, and we want you to know that before you buy. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003efreshwater invertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e to see what else suits your tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FFF8E1;border-left:4px solid #F9A825;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlease read before you buy.\u003c\/strong\u003e This clam lives on particles too small to see. In a clean, well filtered aquarium there is often not enough of that food, and many clams slowly starve over a few weeks to months. A clam that dies buried in the sand can rot unnoticed and cause a sudden ammonia spike. It is also an invasive species in the United States: \u003cstrong\u003enever release it, or its tank water, into a pond, creek, lake, or storm drain.\u003c\/strong\u003e If you can commit to fine sand, target feeding, and a quick daily check, it can do well.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine sand is required:\u003c\/strong\u003e give it at least 2 inches of soft sand such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-super-naturals-moonlight-sand\"\u003eCaribSea Moonlight Sand\u003c\/a\u003e. A clam that cannot bury itself in gravel or on a bare bottom is stressed and rarely lasts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature tank only:\u003c\/strong\u003e add it to an aquarium that has been running for several months, with some algae and biofilm. A brand new, spotless tank has almost nothing for a filter feeder to eat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed it on purpose:\u003c\/strong\u003e a few times a week, turn off the filter for 15 to 20 minutes and squirt a small amount of fine food near the clam with a pipette. Good options are liquid phytoplankton or a pinch of powdered shrimp or algae food stirred into a cup of tank water. Feed lightly, since uneaten food fouls the water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck it every day:\u003c\/strong\u003e a healthy clam keeps its shell closed tight or opens slightly with siphons out, and it moves around now and then. A shell that gapes wide and does not close when touched, or a clam that smells bad when lifted out, is dead. Remove it right away and test for ammonia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHard water for the shell:\u003c\/strong\u003e keep pH at 7.0 or higher with moderate hardness. Soft, acidic water slowly pits and dissolves the shell. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e raises GH if your tap water is soft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo copper:\u003c\/strong\u003e copper-based medications kill clams, and many other fish treatments stress them. Move the clam to another tank before medicating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlants:\u003c\/strong\u003e it plows slowly through the sand and can uproot delicate carpeting or newly planted stems. Well rooted plants are fine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:8px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCorbicula fluminea\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlso known as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eGolden Clam, Gold Clam, Asian Clam, Asiatic Clam\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate, mostly because of feeding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUsually under 1 inch in aquariums, up to about 2 inches in the wild\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons, established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFine sand, at least 2 inches deep\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e65 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e7.0 to 8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFilter feeder: phytoplankton, bacteria, and fine suspended particles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background:#E3F2FD;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1 to 4 years in the wild, often shorter in aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNative to eastern Asia. Invasive in North America: never release\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA clam cannot run or fight back, so tank mates matter more than you might expect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat with:\u003c\/strong\u003e calm fish that do not dig or pick at the bottom, such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-paracheirodon-innesi-freshwater\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e; \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and other dwarf shrimp; and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e puffers and loaches that crack or pick at shellfish, goldfish and digging cichlids that uproot it, crayfish and crabs, and large plecos that rasp at shells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e for a soft, burrow friendly bottom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dinkins-aquatic-gardens-live-phytoplankton-six-species-blend\"\u003eDinkins Live Phytoplankton\u003c\/a\u003e, a marine culture, but the cells still make a good particle food for filter feeders. Dose a few drops at a time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-shrimp-cuisine\"\u003eHikari Shrimp Cuisine\u003c\/a\u003e, crushed to a fine powder and mixed with tank water for target feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-ammonia-test-kit\"\u003eFritz Ammonia Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e to catch trouble early\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-equilibrium-gh-mineral-builder-planted\"\u003eSeachem Equilibrium\u003c\/a\u003e for the minerals a healthy shell needs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill a clam clear up my cloudy water?\u003c\/strong\u003e Not in any way you would notice. One small clam filters a tiny fraction of a typical tank, and cloudy water needs a real fix such as filtration, cycling, or less feeding. Keep a clam because it is interesting, not as a filter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow can I tell if it is still alive?\u003c\/strong\u003e A living clam closes its shell when disturbed and usually shifts position every few days. A dead clam gapes open, does not close when touched, and smells strongly when lifted out. If in doubt, check it, since a dead clam left in the sand can crash water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it reproduce in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e It can. This species can fertilize itself and releases tiny juvenile clams. Most do not survive in an aquarium, but it is another reason to dispose of unwanted clams in the trash and never in a waterway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I put it in my pond?\u003c\/strong\u003e We do not recommend it. Outdoor ponds flood and overflow into local streams, and this clam is already a serious invasive pest in American rivers, where it clogs water intakes and competes with native mussels. Keep it indoors in an aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e Start with one or two in a 20 gallon or larger tank. More clams means more competition for the same limited food and a higher chance one dies unnoticed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49318821888219,"sku":"FW1-F4017","price":3.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/invert_clam_freshwater.jpg?v=1789597585","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/gold-clam-corbicula-fluminea-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}