Horse's hoof clam
Hippopus hippopus
Family : Tridacnidae
Large thick-shelled clam with a rough, hoof-like shape, often buried in sand. A filter feeder requiring strong lighting.
Description
The horse's hoof clam is a bivalve mollusk of the family Tridacnidae. Its massive shell, reaching up to 30 cm, features radial ribs and variable coloration (brown, green, yellow). It lives buried in sandy substrates of coral reefs, exposing only its mantle. Like other Tridacnidae, it hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae in its tissues, requiring strong lighting. It also feeds by filtering phytoplankton.
Habitat
Region :
Shallow coral reefs, lagoons
Distribution :
Recommended parameters
Care
Care notes
Mature marine aquarium of at least 200 L. Intense lighting (LED or T5) for zooxanthellae. Salinity 1.023-1.025, temperature 24-28°C. Maintain high calcium (400-450 ppm) and stable alkalinity (8-12 dKH). Avoid nitrates >10 ppm and phosphates >0.1 ppm. Supplement with phytoplankton if needed. Handle with care as the byssus is fragile.
Similar species
Espèces proches, même habitat ou même maintenance
