Giant Clam – Derasa
November 9, 2009 by drjungle
Filed under Aquariums, Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Derasa Clam ~ Tridacna derasa
"The Derasa Clam gets big! Yes, it can grow just under 2 feet in length. It’s a very hardy giant clam in the aquarium with a subtle and intriguing beauty… But yes! It is also used as a food source!"
The Derasa Clam is one of the hardiest, most widely available giant clam for the aquarium!
The Derasa Clam Tridacna derasa, along with its cousin the Gigas Clam Tridacna gigas, was one of the of the first aquacultured species of Tridacna clams. A popular food item, these clams have been hunted extensively throughout their natural
habitats. Today both of these giant clams are cultivated in captivity. They are supplied as a food source, but are also readily available to the aquarist.
The Derasa Clam has proven to be one of the hardiest giant clams for the aquarium. T. derasa’s are also quite attractive. They usually have a mantle with a striped pattern of wavy lines or a spotted pattern. They sport various
color combinations of orange, yellow, black, blue, and white, some can even
have brilliant blue or green accents. (Read More Here)
Aquatic Passion Photo of the Month Winner – September 2009
October 9, 2009 by drjungle
Filed under Animal News, Aquariums, Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Congratulations to Chad for this cool photo of a Trumpet Coral – Caulastrea echinulata
A very similar species to the Candycane coral C. furcata. The trumpet coral is usually less colorful than the candycane and has trumpet shaped polyps which are more closely packed. See pictures illustrating the Candycane and Trumpet Coral differences.
Truly a Giant Clam – Tridacna gigas
October 9, 2009 by drjungle
Filed under Aquariums, Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Giant Clam or Gigas Clam – Tridacna gigas
"How would you like to have a 4 foot, 400 pound Clam sitting in your living room aquarium? Now THAT would be an attraction. It’s one big fellow and peaceful too!"
The Giant Clam, Tridacna Gigas, is the largest bivalve (mollusc) in the world!
The Tridacna gigas clam is commonly called the Giant Clam or Gigas Clam. This impressive Tridacna clam species is popular as both a food source and a novelty. Its numbers in the
wild have been greatly reduced because of over collection and hunting. The Giant Clam, along with its cousin the Derasa Clam Tridacna derasa, is one of the first aquacultured species of Tridacna clams. Today both of these giant clams are cultivated in captivity. They are supplied as a food source, but are also readily available to the aquarist.
The Giant Clam, or Gigas Clam, has proven to be one of the hardiest giant clams for the aquarium. They are relatively easy to care for and can grow very
rapidly when provided with adequate light and calcium levels. Giant Clams will need ample room in the aquarium, as true to their name they can can become very large, reaching over 3′ in length…
Giant Clam – Hippopus
October 4, 2009 by drjungle
Filed under Aquariums, Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Hippopus Clam
"Hip Hip Hurrah for Hippopus hippopus!… I’m the clam of the day! I many not throw my weight around like that oversized Gigas Clam, or flaunt my colors like that vain Maxima, but I have class!"
The Hippopus Clam (known as the Bear Paw Clam)
is not only a hardy aquarium specimen, but is prized for its very colorful and decorative shell!
There are two species of giant clams that are ‘Hippopus Clams’. The species commonly referred to as the Hippopus Clam H. hippopus, is also known as the Bear Paw Clam, Horse’s Hoof Clam, and the Strawberry Clam. H. hippopus is a hardy giant clam that is easy to acclimate and keep in the home aquarium, as long as it is given enough space to grow. Its close relative, the China Clam H. porcellanus, is not common in the aquarium industry. However both of these giant clams are traditionally harvested for their meat, and they are also highly prized for their shells.
Montipora Capricornus
July 21, 2007 by drjungle
Filed under Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Montipora is a plating species of small polyp stony (SPS) corals. Montipora’s corallites (the basic skeletal unit of a stony coral that contains the polyps) are tiny. This makes them distinct from all other corals except Porites. The corallites have almost microscopic inward-projecting septa (plural of septum, a thin skeletal plate in stony corals that protrudes from the corallite wall inward, toward the center where the polyps reside). The polyps themselves are tiny, uniform and fuzzy which gives Montipora one of it’s common names, velvet coral. Their skeletons are lightweight and porous.
Montipora Plate Coral
Montipora capricornus
6/15/2007
3rd Annual Coral Conference
July 8, 2007 by drjungle
Filed under Animal News, Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Presented by Doctors Foster and Smith and LiveAquaria.com
Rhinelander, Wisconsin
June 29 – July 1, 2007
Tridacna maxima
Photos © Animal-World
Set in the beautiful northern country atmosphere of Rhinelander, Wisconsin with its moderate climate, green grass and pines, the 3rd Annual Coral Conference and Frag Swap was staged at the business complex of Doctors Foster and Smith.
 Flower Tree Coral |
The atmosphere at the Coral Conference was casual and friendly. There were 70 coral frag traders and approximately 600 + attendees. Several industry representatives were present with booths displaying their latest in marine and reef aquarium products. Also included in the mix was the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America (MASNA), passing out calendars and promoting membership.
People in t-shirts and jeans moved between warehouse facilities and outdoor-canopied areas enjoying frag swapping, auctions, and speakers. Attendees ranged from those just getting started in the hobby to those with extensive experience. With speaker events both days and the diverse experiences of the many attendees, information was abundant. Folks had the opportunity to learn about the many aspects of reef keeping and coral propagation as well as exchange ideas and share experiences as they met fellow enthusiasts
Montipora Plate Coral
June 18, 2007 by drjungle
Filed under Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Montipora is most commonly found in green, pink, purple, and brown but can be found in almost every color. The polyps tend to be brown or green, usually in contrast with the more brightly colored coenosarc (the soft tissue that lies over the stony skeleton and usually links the tissue between polyps).
Montipora is one of the largest genera of corals and has almost every type of growth form. Some species can even have more than one growth form in the same colony.
Montipora capricornus is one of the common species of Montipora. It is sometimes confused with M. foliosa and M. tuberculosa. Some of the common names for Montipora capricornus are cabbage coral, lettuce coral, vase coral, cup coral, and leaf plate coral.
Montipora Plate Coral
Montipora capricornus
Colorful Corals, Acropora
September 26, 2006 by drjungle
Filed under Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Small-polyped Stony Coral (SPS)
As a whole, the many Acropora spp. corals are commonly called simply Acropora. The individual Acropora corals have many common names, usually based on their growth forms. Some of the common names include staghorn, cat’s paw, bottlebrush, table, tabletop, finger, and so on. These common names are often used on many different species of Acroporas which can quickly result in confusion.
Acropora humilis
Acropora humilis
Staghorn Coral
September 16, 2006 by drjungle
Filed under Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Another coral from Liz Lukan of Marine Fiends fame. The branches of this one give it the common name “Staghorn Coral” which is perfectly understandable. I’m thinking this one must be found in or around Formosa…
Acropora formosa
Acropora formosa
Small-polyped Stony Coral (SPS)
Slipper Coral, Polyphyllia talpina
September 14, 2006 by drjungle
Filed under Catch All, Corals Mini-Reef
Dr. Jungle says… “Thanks to Liz Lukan, we have some new reef coral species. Woohoo! Here’s a Slipper Coral that looks soft enough to wear! What a beautiful animal. Liz RULES!”
Liz also puts together the Fish ‘n Chips Marine Newsletter. Be sure to visit and sign up for the newsletter!
Slipper coral
Polyphyllia talpina
Large-polyped Stony Coral (LPS)
