Maximas offered for sale have changed over the last few yrs?

[Ram_Puppy]

has anyone noticed that over the last few years that maxima clams just aren't the same?

It has been well over a year since I have seen high quailty electric (quasi grade some people use) clams with jet black coloration and deep cobalt blue and imperial purple colors in them...

the stuff we see now days almost always has a pastel quality to it, I just don't think I have seen very many clams I am just ga ga over lately...

then again, I mostly look at clams direct and don't know that many other soruces.

did something happen to the hatcheries? maybe one of them go out of business? or is it just a preference that the rest of the hobby likes what is for sale now and I don't?

[thedude]

Vietnam and Indonesia were both hit by the clam protazoan that caused pinched mantle. Last I heard, Barry from Clamsdirect has gone over to visit the collecting raceways personally and described them to be in very very poor condition. They're working on better collecting methods and have cleaned out the raceways of the collection points but only time will tell if we see the same great looking clams I guess.

[Ram_Puppy]

:( that is sad. Hopefully they will recover soon, those clams were friggin amazing.

[mathias]

guess thats why clam prices are so high?

[Richard]

The gold teardrops are about the only ones that are usually available. The really awesome ones are only available occasionally and are snatched up very quickly.

[fishypets]

I know Aquatek had a kick butt blue/purple/gold/black/green teardrop that was about 8-10 inches. I was going to buy it until they told me it was $400.00.............As time went on the price kept getting higher. Eventually the clam sold for $1500.00!!!!!!!!!

But is was a beatiful calm....Just not worth 1500.00 IMO