Tridacna clam breeding in suburbia

Harlequinmania · September 10, 2013

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From acropora propagation to clams, we asked Acro Al for more details about how he embarked on his new adventures as a suburban clam farmer.

It was only around 4 years ago when I thought of the idea, and then some time later came across some outstanding videos coincidentally just uploaded about giant clam farming from someone called Gerald Heslinga. These videos proved to be the inspiration for me to start the project.

I contacted Gerald, and his comment when I asked whether he thinks [clam breeding in suburbia] is possible still stands with me today: "Don't wait another day!"

I realized my clams were healthy and were releasing eggs, and I had access to seawater. This is when I thought I would give it a go, so I built a modest raceway style aquaculture setup with the total capacity of about 8000 litres.

I sought various advice. I contacted John Clunies-Ross from Cocos Islands Clam Farm, researched heavily into Gerald's MMDC papers and Dr Richard Braley's papers from ACIAR as well as various other scientific papers. With success already showing, it wasn't until I contacted Phil Dor (www.lagoonclams.com ex-Reefarm, Cairns) who lived here in Perth, that it really took off with his outstanding advice and motivation and will to help me overcome the "what ifs."

Now (after about 50 trips to the jetty for 1000 litres of seawater!) I stand looking at my first successful batch of Tridacna maxima, 3.5mm at 4 months old. My intention is to supply the local market with aquacultured clams of most species in the near future!