Hawaiian freshwater sponges and clams

wili_wili · 08-04-2010, 04:47 PM

Hi Hawaii Folks - I posted this on the shrimp and invertebrates section last night, but I'm reposting here too:

I am interested in finding and keeping freshwater sponges in an aquarium. I know they are filter feeders, so I assume they would need heavy levels of floating algae or other plankton. I found a few posts on here about sponges, but no success stories.

I saw some cold-water freshwater sponges (Spongilla sp.) in upstate NY this summer while on vacation, but didn't attempt to keep them alive. There's a very cool insect that specializes on them (an aquatic lacewing - family Sisyridae), so I was mainly looking for that, and found some. Anyhow, when I got back to Hawaii, I read that there is actually an indigenous warm-water species of freshwater sponge in Hawaii (see the book "Hawaii's Native and Exotic Freshwater Animals"). Have any of the Hawaii folks come across this? I would love to try it in a tank.

I'd also like to find a place to collect Asiatic freshwater clams in Hawaii, to try one or two in a tank. Invertebrates rule!

Thanks
Will

**taniner** · 08-23-2010, 09:57 PM

There are freshwater clams in a stream near Hoomaunahea in Kaneohe.

wili_wili · 08-30-2010, 06:35 AM

hey taniner,
you mean ho'omaluhia? a friend told me he's seen freshwater sponges there too.
thanks,
will

**taniner** · 08-31-2010, 07:34 AM

sorry for the spelling... yes Ho'omaluhia. There's stream near there that has freshwater clams. Not too sure about the sponges though. Got a pic of what they look like?

08-04-2010, 04:47 PM	#1
wili_wili Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 9	Hawaiian freshwater sponges and clams Hi Hawaii Folks - I posted this on the shrimp and invertebrates section last night, but I'm reposting here too: I am interested in finding and keeping freshwater sponges in an aquarium. I know they are filter feeders, so I assume they would need heavy levels of floating algae or other plankton. I found a few posts on here about sponges, but no success stories. I saw some cold-water freshwater sponges (Spongilla sp.) in upstate NY this summer while on vacation, but didn't attempt to keep them alive. There's a very cool insect that specializes on them (an aquatic lacewing - family Sisyridae), so I was mainly looking for that, and found some. Anyhow, when I got back to Hawaii, I read that there is actually an indigenous warm-water species of freshwater sponge in Hawaii (see the book "Hawaii's Native and Exotic Freshwater Animals"). Have any of the Hawaii folks come across this? I would love to try it in a tank. I'd also like to find a place to collect Asiatic freshwater clams in Hawaii, to try one or two in a tank. Invertebrates rule! Thanks Will

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08-23-2010, 09:57 PM	#2
taniner Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (68/100%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hawaii Posts: 411	There are freshwater clams in a stream near Hoomaunahea in Kaneohe.

08-30-2010, 06:35 AM	#3
wili_wili Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 9	hey taniner, you mean ho'omaluhia? a friend told me he's seen freshwater sponges there too. thanks, will

08-31-2010, 07:34 AM	#4
taniner Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (68/100%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hawaii Posts: 411	sorry for the spelling... yes Ho'omaluhia. There's stream near there that has freshwater clams. Not too sure about the sponges though. Got a pic of what they look like?