ORA Ultra Gold Maxima Clam

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Small giant clam; Elongate clam; Gold maxima

Synonyms

Tridacna elongata; Tridacna maculata

Environment

Saltwater

Native to

Red Sea, East Africa, India, Southeast Asia, China, Australia, Polynesia, Indo-Pacific

Habitat

Shallow, clear, high-current reef flats and reef slopes, often attached to rock or rubble in high-density aggregations

Sourcing

Both

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

1.5 – 8 in (3.8 – 20 cm)

Lifespan

10 – 20 yrs

Min tank

40 gal (151 L)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Top

Water

Temperature

75 – 78 °F (24 – 26 °C)

pH

8.1 – 8.4

dKH

8 – 12 dKH

Salinity

1.023 – 1.026 SG

Flow

Moderate

Behavior & compatibility

Social

Solitary

Aggression to own kind

Low

Active

Daytime

Reef safe

Yes

Invert safe

Yes

Shrimp safe

Yes

Clean-up role

Filter feeding

Population boom risk

Low

Feeding & breeding

Diet

Photosynthetic

Foods

Phytoplankton, Zooplankton

Breeding type

Broadcast spawner

Breeding difficulty

Not bred in captivity

Sexing

Simultaneous hermaphrodite; not externally sexed

Target feeding

Beneficial

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Care guide

Overview

Reaching roughly eight inches over a decade or more of slow growth, this Ultra Gold selection carries a golden mantle whose tone shifts with viewing angle. It needs intense lighting placed high in the tank, moderate steady flow, and stable calcium and alkalinity as the shell thickens with age.

Care

Maxima clams need very bright, full-spectrum lighting placed high in the tank close to the fixtures, since most of their nutrition comes from the zooxanthellae housed in their mantle tissue. Moderate, steady flow is preferred; strong direct flow can cause repeated closing and stress. Water quality must be kept nearly pristine, with undetectable ammonia and nitrite and very low nitrate and phosphate, along with stable calcium, alkalinity and magnesium to support shell growth. This species is considered more demanding than other Tridacna species and is best suited to established, mature reef systems.

Feeding

The bulk of daily energy comes from photosynthesis via symbiotic algae, so consistent, intense lighting matters more than direct feeding. Dosing live phytoplankton periodically can supplement growth, especially for smaller or newly acquired individuals still adjusting to tank conditions. No target feeding is required once the clam is established under adequate light.

Tank mates

Avoid fish known to pick at clam mantles or siphons, including certain wrasses, triggerfish, puffers, and some large angelfish. The clam itself is peaceful and poses no threat to tankmates. It pairs well with other photosynthetic reef life once its lighting and placement needs are met and it is left undisturbed after attaching.

Breeding

Tridacna maxima is a broadcast spawner and simultaneous hermaphrodite in the wild, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column during mass spawning events. Captive spawning is essentially never observed in home aquaria, though commercial hatcheries such as ORA propagate this species using controlled spawning and larval rearing techniques. Home aquarists should not expect or attempt to breed this species.

Health

Newly introduced clams, especially smaller individuals under two inches, are prone to bleaching or tissue damage if placed under overly intense light without gradual acclimation. Sudden closures unrelated to feeding or disturbance can signal poor water quality or predation attempts by fish or pyramidellid snails. Byssal attachment should be allowed to occur naturally and never forced or cut away except as a last resort with a clean blade.

Sources

1. Maxima Clam | Tridacna maxima | ORA | Oceans, Reefs & Aquariums
2. ORA First Grade Maxima Clam - ORA - Bulk Reef Supply
3. Maxima Clam First Grade, Aquacultured – LiveAquaria
4. 3 Tips for Keeping Maxima Clams | Tridacna Clams | AlgaeBarn

Varieties in the catalog

ORA First Grade Maxima ClamORA Gold Maxima ClamORA Ultra Colored Maxima Clam

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