How to take care of clams?

Flower clams, also known as flower clams, are a very common seafood shellfish. Because of its delicious taste, rich nutrition and affordable price, it is in high demand in the market and has broad prospects for breeding. So how do you take care of clams? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Breeding site selection

When choosing a breeding site, priority should be given to locations with convenient transportation, clean water sources, flat terrain, and smooth currents. The pond bottom should contain a high proportion of sand to stabilize the substrate and provide a suitable habitat. The seawater temperature is adjusted to 15℃ to 30℃ to meet the growth requirements of clams.

2. Seedling breeding

Clams are hermaphrodites and generally reach sexual maturity in two years. When breeding seedlings, you should choose healthy and plump seedlings, and cultivate them in stages to the optimal level of 50-70 seedlings per 500 grams. At the same time, there should be slightly dark brown diatoms in the pond water to facilitate the absorption of nutrients by the seedlings.

3. Feeding

Clams generally feed on algae, plankton, organic waste, etc. During breeding, the control of feed and nutrients should be strengthened to ensure that clams have high-quality food to eat. Biological agents should be added appropriately to control water quality and the health of clams. Clam farming requires frequent observation to avoid interference from harmful organisms.

4. Water quality management

Clams have high requirements for water quality and need to be regularly monitored and maintained in suitable water conditions. The water should be kept clean, replaced regularly, and harmful substances and impurities removed. At the same time, the pH value, dissolved oxygen content and salinity of the water must be controlled to meet the growth needs of clams.

5. Daily management

Regular inspections should be carried out and serious pests, such as fish, crabs, snails, etc., should be removed in a timely manner. 5-8 kg of tea seed cake can be crushed and soaked in water per acre and then evenly sprinkled to prevent and control fish; crabs, snails and other pests can be removed with nets or by hand. In addition, the integrity of dams and sluices should be checked regularly and repaired in time to prevent clams from escaping.

6. Harvest at the right time

After 1-2 years of cultivation, clams can be harvested when their shells are more than 3 cm long. Harvesting starts in March-April and ends in September before the clam breeding season. When harvesting, the clams should be handled with care to avoid damaging them. After harvest, clams should be cleaned, graded and packaged to meet market demand.

In general, clams grow very fast, have a short breeding cycle, and can survive long out of water. They are an excellent shellfish suitable for high-density artificial breeding. However, its breeding is a comprehensive process involving multiple links and details, so the relevant breeding techniques must be mastered well.