Where should I place a Maxima Clam in my reef tank?

Place your Maxima Clam on a solid piece of rockwork or a clam cradle in the middle to upper levels of the tank. They require intense lighting and a hard surface to attach their byssal threads; they should not be placed directly on a sandy substrate.

Do I need to feed my Maxima Clam?

While adult clams rely almost entirely on intense lighting to fuel their symbiotic algae, they do filter feed. Supplemental feeding with live phytoplankton is highly recommended for juveniles under 5 cm, but large adults typically thrive on light and dissolved nutrients alone.

Why is my Maxima Clam not fully opening?

A retracted or 'pinched' mantle can indicate several issues, including insufficient lighting, fluctuating water parameters, excessive water flow hitting the mantle, or the presence of parasitic pyramidellid snails attacking the clam.

Can I move my Maxima Clam once it has attached?

Moving an attached clam is highly risky and generally discouraged. If you must move it, you must carefully cut the byssal threads with a sharp scalpel as far away from the clam's foot as possible. Never forcefully pull an attached clam, as tearing the byssal gland is often fatal.

What lighting does a Maxima Clam need?

Maxima Clams require very high-intensity lighting, typically needing a PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) value between 250 and 400+ to thrive and maintain their vibrant colours.

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Maxima Clam

Tridacna maxima

The Maxima Clam is a stunning, light-demanding marine bivalve renowned for its vibrantly coloured, highly patterned mantle.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 28 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.023 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 30 – 40 cm
Standard Reef Tank: 150 litres+
Lifespan: 30 – 50 years
Diet: Photosynthetic / Filter Feeder
Water flow: Low to moderate, indirect
Preferred setup: Secured to solid live rock or dedicated clam cradle, high up for intense light

About the Maxima Clam

Tridacna maxima is arguably the most recognisable and widely kept giant clam in the marine aquarium hobby. Famous for its heavily scalloped shell and spectacular, fleshy mantle, it comes in an astonishing array of blues, greens, golds, and purples. Being entirely sessile once settled, it uses strong byssal threads to anchor itself firmly to rockwork. Although wholly peaceful, it is entirely reliant on pristine water chemistry and high-intensity lighting, making it a spectacular centrepiece best reserved for experienced reefkeepers.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Maxima Clam against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Maxima Clam comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, East Africa, Polynesia

Countries / regions

Australia, Egypt, Fiji, French Polynesia, Indonesia

Habitat

Shallow reef flats, lagoons, and reef margins with clear water and intense sunlight, typically bored into limestone or coral rubble.

Possesses the widest natural distribution of any giant clam species.

Similar species

Crocea Clam
Tridacna crocea
Derasa Clam
Tridacna derasa
Squamosa Clam
Tridacna squamosa

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Completely peaceful towards invertebrates and spends its time in the upper water column or hosting, posing no threat to the clam.
Great
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
An active herbivore that will graze on surrounding algae, keeping the clam's shell clean without nipping the fleshy mantle.
Great
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
A highly compatible, reef-safe scavenger that will peacefully co-exist alongside the clam without causing stress.
Great
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
Like many dwarf angelfish, there is a distinct risk that it may develop a taste for the clam's fleshy mantle, causing the clam to remain retracted.
Compatible with caution
Six-line Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
While excellent at hunting parasitic pyramidellid snails that harm clams, it can occasionally steal targeted food or become overly inquisitive.
Compatible with caution
Dogface Pufferfish
Arothron nigropunctatus
A specialised predator with strong beak-like teeth that will actively hunt, crush, and consume molluscs, including giant clams.
Not recommended
Copperband Butterflyfish
Chelmon rostratus
Its long snout is adapted for picking small invertebrates from crevices, and it is highly likely to nip at or completely consume the clam's mantle.
Not recommended

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