Cleaner Clam
Mercenaria mercenaria
Saltwater Invertebrate
Species Group: Clam
Family: Veneridae
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Cleaner Clam
General information
<div>The Cleaner Clam, <em>Mercenaria mercenaria</em>, is a durable, beneficial, and functional addition to any tank. They are diligent water-cleansers and algae-eaters. Cleaner clams are essential members of any janitorial crew. They do not require light as they will spend much of their time burrowed under a sandy substrate. </div>
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<div>The Cleaner Clam often goes by many names, Hardshell clam, Quahog, littleneck, cherry stone, and chowder. Usually used in relation to size; smallest being littleneck, then cherry stone, then chowder. Quahog is the all-encompassing name. Researchers estimate that the largest quahogs (4 inches or more in length) are as much as 40 years old.</div>
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<div>Cleaner clams can also be great live food for other larger predatory organisms – so keep away from these types of tank mates if you do not want your clam to get eaten. </div>
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<div>It is advisable to keep them in at least 5 Gallon tanks. They are peaceful species. </div>
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Diet & nutrition
This bivalve is a filter feeder and will not live without particulate food, they don't directly absorb nitrogen products like a photosynthetic clam can. They only consume the little organic particles that can lead to nitrates. They do so by sucking water in and passing it over their gills then expelling the filtered water, a large clam can filter about one gallon an hour. While they can be an excellent thing to help keep nitrates low. The chances of long term survival in tanks that do not contain or are not being fed particulate foods are pretty slim for the long term. Their mainstay in the wild is plankton. If your tank does not have or get dosed with this, an alternative route to controlling nitrates should be sought.
Origination
Their native distribution is along the east coast of North America, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence into the Gulf of Mexico. However, it has been introduced to other areas including the coasts of California, England, Humboldt Bay, and Southern Brittany.
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