How to Keep a Flame Scallop

Flame scallops are small, showy-looking bivalves. These creatures sport brilliant red tentacles that draw the eye and add color to your aquarium. These scallops stay small, growing only to about three inches. Flame scallops are also peaceful, and won't disturb other aquarium inhabitants. These facts may make them seem like a great addition to your aquarium. However, flame scallops are very fragile and require constant care to keep them healthy. They can be very difficult to maintain.

Things You'll Need

  • Water testing kits
  • Various water additives
  • Thermometer
  • Varied flame scallop food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Introduce the flame scallop to a well-established aquarium. This is an aquarium that has been cycling for quite some time, and has balanced salinity and pH levels that don't spike or dip unpredictably. Flame scallops require very stable levels of both pH and salinity. The salinity should be from 1.023 to 1.025. The pH should remain between 8.1 and 8.4. You can test these levels by using a water-testing kit, purchased at a pet store. Adjust the levels if necessary with aquarium pH and salinity additives.

    • 2

      Test the water again, paying close attention to nitrate levels. Flame scallops cannot tolerate nitrates, so if the test reveals nitrates, use an aquarium water additive to clear the water.

    • 3

      Note the levels of calcium in your aquarium. Flame scallops require high calcium levels in order to properly grow. You can use a water additive to raise the calcium level of the water if you need to.

    • 4

      Check the pH, salinity, nitrate, and calcium levels as often as possible, in order to maintain the proper habitat for the scallop.

    • 5

      Use a thermometer to measure the water temperature. Flame scallops require a stable water temperature, between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use any type of aquarium water heater, which fits the size of your aquarium, to raise the water temperature if you need to.

    • 6

      Add the flame scallop to an aquarium with no large or aggressive tank mates. Many types of fish are attracted to the flame scallop's soft tentacles, and will nip at them, causing injuries.

    • 7

      Place the flame scallop at the bottom of the aquarium where there are rocks and corals. The flame scallop will tuck itself into these items, creating a secure area for itself.

    • 8

      Feed the flame scallop phytoplankton or marine snow. Flame scallops eat drifting micro-plankton in the wild, but this can be difficult to replicate in an aquarium setting, especially if the aquarium has a powerful filter system. Load a straw of pipette with the marine snow, or whatever plankton-type food you've chosen, and gently let it drift into the water. Drop the food in a gentle current, near your flame scallop. Each flame scallop needs to be fed individually, or the scallop will most likely starve.