Above: In this picture is a nice premium quality Golden Freshwater Clam.

Comments: Lots of aquarists think these clams are interesting and lots of fun.

They rarely seem to move, but then they appear somewhere else in the aquarium.

Later they disappear into the gravel. Then reappear, open their shell and stick out their "tongue" at you. ; ^ }

Click here for more about our Premium Freshwater Clams.

Origin: This clam originated in Asia but is now an invasive species in freshwater ponds, streams, and rivers in North America and in other parts of the world too.

Maximum Size: In aquariums this clam often grows to be about 2" wide, but they live many years and continue to grow slowly for their entire lives.

So a few of them may grow to be larger than 2" wide.

Behaviors: They stay at the bottom of the aquarium, and hardly seem to move. You may see them move around, when they feed at night, but it's difficult to see.

However they leave a trail in the gravel, and you can see that they have often traveled several feet in the last day or two.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include any community fish, but some Catfish and Cichlids may annoy or prey on these Clams.

Temperature: This clam can live pretty well from about 70 to 80 degrees F., but they're probably most comfortable from about 75 to 78 degrees F.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets. These Clams are also filter feeders.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: This Clam can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.

Probably a pH of about 7 with moderate hardness is best.

Most water in the US has a higher pH and more hardness but seems to be OK, so it's probably best NOT to adjust the pH or the hardness of the water.

Here in our facilities the water is hard and the pH is usually about 7.8. We ship them in this water.

Aquarium Size: These guys can do well living in a 10-gallon aquarium, but of course bigger is better.

Decor: These Clams do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live Plants are beautiful, and improve the water quality.

Click here for more about aquarium plants.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

A Penguin 100B Filter in an aquarium with 10 to 20-gallons of water is OK, but a Penguin 200B Filter in an aquarium with 20 to 30-gallons is better.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: This clam can live for a few years, maybe many years with excellent care, including excellent water and premium fish foods.

Gender: these Clams are simultaneously both male and female and can self-fertilize their own eggs.

Breeding: There have been many attempts and some successes at breeding these Clams in aquariums.

They're thought to release several hundred larvae a day.

Then the larvae attach to the gills of a fish, where they grow and later release themselves from the fish, never harming their host, dropping to the substrate.

Popularity: These freshwater Clams are rather popular.

Names: This species scientific name is Corbicula fluminea.

Variations: There are reported to be several variations throughout the US.

Click here for more information about Freshwater Clams.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.