{"product_id":"ultra-grade-maxima-clam-tridacna-maxima-saltwater","title":"Ultra Grade Maxima Clam (Tridacna maxima)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;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.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ultra Grade Maxima Clam (\u003cem\u003eTridacna maxima\u003c\/em\u003e) is the jewel of a reef tank. \"Ultra grade\" marks the most vivid, intricately patterned mantles the species produces, electric blues and turquoise laid out in rippling lines that glow under reef lighting. Park it on the rockwork under strong light and it becomes the centerpiece every guest asks about. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/corals\"\u003ecorals and reef livestock\u003c\/a\u003e while you plan its spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e each clam is a hand-picked individual, so the exact mantle pattern you receive may vary slightly from the photo. You are welcome to come see it in store.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStability is everything.\u003c\/strong\u003e Maxima clams want intense light and steady calcium, alkalinity, and salinity. Dial the reef in first, then add the clam.\n\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 #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiant clams feed themselves two ways: zooxanthellae in the mantle turn light into food, and the clam filter-feeds plankton from the water column. Give it the light and clean, stable chemistry it needs and it does the rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons with true reef-grade lighting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intense. Maximas sit high on the rocks in nature, so aim for strong LED or T5 output.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to moderate and indirect. The mantle should ripple, not fold over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 to 80°F, specific gravity 1.024 to 1.026, calcium 400 to 450 ppm, alkalinity 8 to 11 dKH, magnesium near 1300 ppm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mostly photosynthetic. Clams under about 3 inches especially benefit from regular live phytoplankton.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Set it on rock or rubble where it can grip with its byssal foot. Once it attaches, do not pry it loose; move the rock instead if you must.\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 #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:520px;margin:6px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUltra Grade Maxima Clam\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTridacna maxima\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific (aquacultured)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8 to 12 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePhotosynthetic, filter feeder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntense\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLow to moderate, indirect\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\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 #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaxima clams are completely peaceful and sit beautifully among corals, they have no sting at all. Keep them with reef-safe fish and inverts: clownfish, gobies, blennies, chromis, tangs, cleaner shrimp, and snails are all fine. Skip known clam-nippers like large angelfish, butterflyfish, and triggerfish, and inspect the shell occasionally for tiny pyramid snails, removing any you find. Slow, stable, reef-quality water is the real requirement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-reef-juice-clam-blend-live-phytoplankton\"\u003eBulldawg Reef Juice Clam Blend\u003c\/a\u003e, a live phytoplankton mix made for clams and filter feeders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/quantum-easy-e-calcium-reef-2-part-supplement\"\u003eQuantum Easy E Calcium\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/quantum-easy-z-alkalinity-reef-2-part\"\u003eQuantum Easy Z Alkalinity\u003c\/a\u003e to keep shell-building chemistry steady.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA reliable kit from our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003ewater testing\u003c\/a\u003e collection and a quality mix from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-mixes\"\u003esalt mixes\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/corals\"\u003ecorals and reef livestock\u003c\/a\u003e.\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 #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does \"ultra grade\" mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClams are graded by mantle color and pattern. Ultra grade is the top tier: saturated blues and intricate patterning across the whole mantle rather than patches of brown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much light does it really need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA lot. Maximas live near the surface on the reef. A proper reef LED or T5 fixture running at coral-growing intensity is the baseline; under dim light a clam slowly starves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to feed it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLarger clams mostly feed themselves through light and by filtering the water. Smaller clams, under about 3 inches, appreciate regular phytoplankton like the Reef Juice Clam Blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere should I place it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn rock or a rubble bed under your strongest light, with gentle flow. It will attach with byssal threads, and once attached it should not be pulled free.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48861106471131,"sku":"2565162","price":160.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_aadaa99c-a3d2-4582-9d28-3f6abf771048.png?v=1781122393","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ultra-grade-maxima-clam-tridacna-maxima-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}