Noah's Clam

Care at a glance

Overview

Give it a mature tank of 150 litres or more at 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4 with strong reef lighting and stable calcium and alkalinity. Most of its food comes from light through the algae in its mantle, though small clams benefit from phytoplankton. Place it on rock rather than deep sand, watch for pinching snails and nipping fish, and only add one to an established system.

In the wild

Noah's clam looks almost identical to the popular maxima clam but has a mantle patterned with oval teardrop shapes edged in a pale margin. The mantle comes in blues, greens, golds, and browns. For years these were sold as teardrop maximas before being recognized as their own species.

Good to know

Tridacna noae was only confirmed as a distinct species from Tridacna maxima in recent years, separated by its teardrop mantle markings and the wider spacing of its pinhole eyes. Like other giant clams it grows a heavy fluted shell and hosts photosynthetic zooxanthellae in its mantle.

Did you know

The small pale dots along the edge of the mantle are simple pinhole eyes that sense passing shadows and make the clam pull its mantle in.

Related species

• 

  Maxima Clam

  Tridacna maxima

  13.8 in (35 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Squamosa Clam

  Tridacna squamosa

  15.7 in (40 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Crocea Clam

  Tridacna crocea

  5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Derasa Clam

  Tridacna derasa

  19.7 in (50 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
• China Clam

  Hippopus porcellanus

  15.7 in (40 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Horse Hoof Clam

  Hippopus hippopus

  11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)