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This clam is roughly 2 +/-" from tip to tip

The Gold Maxima Clam gets its name from the golden or yellowish tones that can dominate its mantle. These clams have one of the most vibrant and visually appealing patterns of all the giant clams, and they are characterized by a unique combination of colors that can shift depending on the lighting and the angle from which they’re viewed.

Appearance:

• Mantle Color: The most striking feature of the Gold Maxima Clam is its mantle, which can range from rich golden yellows to bright oranges and sometimes even deep greens or blues. The golden coloration is often intermixed with iridescent greens, blues, purples, and sometimes even some reds, giving it a truly rainbow-like sheen. This range of colors can change and shift depending on the light in the aquarium.

• Mantle Pattern: The mantle is adorned with radial lines or stripes, and often features iridescent spots or patterns that make the clam appear to shimmer or glow, especially under actinic or blue lighting. The clam’s mantle usually has a smooth, glossy texture, giving it an elegant, polished look.

• Shell Color: The shell of the Gold Maxima Clam is usually cream, white, or tan, with the outer edge often displaying some subtle blue or purple highlights. The shell is smooth and hard, with raised ridges running along the length of the clam, creating a strong, textured appearance that contrasts nicely with the soft, vibrant mantle.

• Size: Maxima clams, including the gold variety, can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length, but most aquarium specimens stay smaller—around 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm)—which makes them a manageable size for most reef setups.

Care Requirements:

Maxima clams, including the Gold Maxima, are relatively high-maintenance compared to other clams like the Derasa or Squamosa, but when kept in ideal conditions, they can thrive and live for many years. Here are the key care factors to keep in mind:

• Lighting: Gold Maxima Clams require high lighting to maintain their bright colors and overall health. They are photosynthetic, meaning they rely on light for energy via their zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae) living in their tissues. LED or T5 lights are ideal, and the clam should be placed in a high-light zone in the tank, such as near the surface or under direct light.

  Note: If the clam doesn’t get enough light, it may become stressed and begin to lose its color or even die off.

• Water Parameters: Like most marine life, Gold Maxima Clams prefer stable, high-quality water conditions:

  • Salinity: 1.025 (preferably with low salinity fluctuations)

  • pH: 8.1 to 8.4

  • Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)

  • Calcium: 420-450 ppm (important for shell growth)

  • Alkalinity: 8-10 dKH

  • Nitrates: Keep below 5 ppm (low nutrients are best)

• Placement: Unlike some clams that prefer being placed on the substrate, the Gold Maxima Clam does best when placed on a stable rock or shelf in the upper levels of the aquarium, where it can receive the highest intensity light. It should never be buried in the sand, as this can stress the clam or prevent it from feeding properly. The clam’s foot should be securely attached to the rock, which helps anchor it and keeps it safe.

• Water Flow: Maxima clams prefer gentle water flow. Too much current can cause them to retract or stress, while too little flow can lead to poor health and stagnant water around the clam.

Feeding:

The Gold Maxima Clam primarily gets its nutrients through photosynthesis by the zooxanthellae in its tissues, but it can also filter feed on plankton and small particles in the water. In a well-maintained reef tank with good water quality and lighting, supplemental feeding isn’t typically necessary, as the clam will get enough nutrients from light and natural plankton. However, if the tank is new or has lower plankton levels, you may occasionally provide a reef-safe planktonic food to supplement.