Aquacultured Striped Blue Rim Derasa Clam
The Derasa Clam, identifiable by having six to seven vertical folds on each side of its shell, exhibits exquisite, unique patterns, such no two look the same. They are the hardiest clam of the Tridacna genus and the second largest. They are filter feeders, meaning they filter the water for particulate food, but the hobbyist must supplement their diet with planktonic foods. All clams need a lot of calcium and alkalinity for their shell growth, so monitoring these levels is just as important as their diet. They can actually deplete the water of calcium much faster than stony corals. Like all clams, the Derasa has byssal threads that they use to attach themselves to the substrate. You should never forcibly remove an attached clam, because they may be badly damaged. As they grow, they will lose their byssal glad and depend on their weight to hold them in place. This clam does best under moderate light, in clean water, and at least a moderate flow of water.