ark clam questions

Discussion in 'Clams' started by sailorguy, Apr 25, 2009.

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  1. sailorguy

    sailorguy Torch Coral

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2009
    Messages:
    1,186
    Location:
    new jersey
    Just saw advertised on reeftopia website,"ricordia on live ark clams", anyone have exoeriance with these or know anything about these "ark clams"?
     
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  3. rysam

    rysam Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2005
    Messages:
    36
    found this on wikipedia.

    Ark clam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Ark clam is the common name for a family of small to large-sized edible saltwater clams or marine bivalve molluscs in the family Arcidae. Ark clams vary both in shape and size. They number about 200 species worldwide.
    The shells of ark clams are often white or cream, but in certain species, the shell is striped with, tinted with, or completely colored with a rich brown. In life the shell of most species has a thick layer of brown periostracum covering the harder calcareous part of the shell. In some genera such as Barbatia, the periostracum can be tufted at the end of the shell into something that resembles a beard, hence the name Barbatia or bearded one.
    The group is known as "ark shells" because genera such as Arca have a large flat area in front of the umbo, which, in an intact shell, can somewhat resemble a deck, with the rest of the shell perhaps resembling an ancient keeled boat such as Noah's ark is thought to have been.
    All ark shells have a long straight hinge line with a single row of numerous small and unspecialized "teeth". This is known as a "taxodont dentition" and represents an ancient lineage. This kind of hinge line is also found in the bivalve families Glycymerididae, Nuculidae and Nuculanidae.
    The thick outer skin or periostracum of an ark clam can act as camouflage, such that the shells can sometimes look like stones when lying on the bottom.
    Large ark clams, such as Arca zebra, are commonly used as bait, as well as food, throughout the Caribbean.
     
  4. Nightstick

    Nightstick Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2009
    Messages:
    493
    Location:
    South Elgin,IL
    I just received my clam w/ricordia attached, I'll let you know more as it get used to my tank. It did open up today!