It’s not everyday that we get a new giant clam species but this week’s coral shipment to the LFS included a special sumthin for the clam lovers. Although T. derasa and T. squamosa hybrids have been around for years, the T. maxima x crocea (T. ‘maxea‘) hybrids have just recently become available from captive hybridization on the farm. The Maxea clams have a really unique appearance with blue and gold markings that lead us to believe that the hybrids are produced by a cross of gold and blue varieties of the two parent species. Not all Maxeas are created equal and there appears to be great variability in the appearance and vibrance of this new hybrid clam variety. The Maxeas are not too expensive, where a 2-3″ high grade T. maxima would sell at retail for $79, a similarly sized Maxea would probably retail for $99-$119.
