Asian Gold Clam (Pilsbryoconcha exilis)

Asian Gold Clam Pilsbryoconcha exilis
Name	Asian Gold Clam
Name Lat.	Pilsbryoconcha exilis
Family	Unionids
Family lat.	Unionidae
Order	Unionoida
Order lat.	Unionoida
Origin	Asia
Habitat	Lakes, ponds
Diet	Plankton, detritus, fish pellets
pH	7.0-8.0
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Larval stages
Breeding	None reported
Life Span	1-2 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	10 cm
Temperature	20-28 °C
Hardness	8-15 °dH
Aquarium	50 l
US Units
Size	3.9"
Temperature	68-82 °F
Hardness	142-267 ppm
Aquarium	15 gal

Distribution and habitat

Tropical freshwater mussels are widespread in Southeast Asia, from Cambodia and Vietnam through the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo. They occur in plant-rich stagnant waters, such as lakes, ponds and pools, but also in oxbows and bays of slow-flowing waters, where they usually live buried in the muddy bottoms.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a robust border planting and offer sufficient free bottom areas. To be able to burrow in, they need a soft, fine-grained, 10-15 cm deep substrate, which can be covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves, oak leaves). Slightly dim light (floating plants), medium to hard water and a weak current is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable in the aquarium water, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals. When choosing the filter, special care should be taken to ensure that only a weak current is created and that not too many suspended particles are filtered out of the water, as these serve as food for them.

Diet

Tropical freshwater mussels are filter feeders, feeding on phyto- and zooplankton, detritus and other suspended matter. It stirs up the bottom substrate somewhat with its foot and swirls in the water. The food is filtered out of the water through the gills and passed on to the mouth opening. Additionally, fine dust food, spirulina powder and commercial plankton food for filter feeders should be fed. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

Tropical freshwater mussels are completely peaceful and can be socialized with fish, snails, shrimp and crayfish without any problems. Caution is advised with large crayfish, which can open and eat pond mussels. Basically, only mutually compatible species with similar requirements for water quality and water temperature should be socialized.

Reproduction and breeding

Tropical freshwater mussels are hermaphrodites and capable of self-fertilization. The eggs are fertilized in the gills of the mussel and cared for between the gills for several months (long brooders). Then 200,000 to 400,000 mussel larvae are gradually expelled with adhesive filaments called glochidia. The glochidia usually attach themselves to the fin skin of passing fish and settle down. There, as parasites on the fish, the larvae develop into small shells and are shed or detach themselves after 2-8 weeks. Larvae that do not find a host fish die.

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

A tropical freshwater mussel can filter up to 15 liters of water per hour, contributing to water purification. It can move slowly by stretching its foot forward and then dragging its body. When feeding, their shells are only slightly open. Dead mussels can be recognized by their wide open shells

To build their shells they need a sufficient supply of lime. Especially in soft, acidic water, shell damage (holes) can occur due to a lack of lime, which can lead to death. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the calcium concentration in the water and, if necessary, calcium should be added in the form of limestone or special preparations from the specialized trade.

The well-being of the animals should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH value, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced animals must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Barbara Pachner; Image: Merz Zierfischgroßhandel

Source: BITTER (2008): Schnecken-Fibel, Dähne Verlag; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch