James Fatherree has been an aquarium hobbyist since childhood, has been keeping marine aquariums for over 15 years, and has spent many days diving in Florida, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Japan and Indonesia. He also managed a large retail aquarium store, owned and operated an aquarium design, installation, and maintenance business for several years, and spent a summer working as a diver/collector/slave for an aquarium livestock wholesaler in Florida. James has also published over 150 articles and 1,000 photographs in various aquarium magazines in the U.S. and Europe, and has written and illustrated several books on the topics of reef organisms and marine aquariums, the latest of which is Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium .

If you'd like to know more about the author, visit his homepage at www.fatherree.com/james

"Tridacnid Clams: Diversity and Lighting Needs"

In addition to maintaining satisfactory water quality, providing the proper lighting is of great importance when caring for tridacnid clams. Different species of these fascinating clams are unique in a number of ways though, and have different lighting needs. Likewise, individuals of each species show a great deal of diversity and can have a range of lighting requirements, as well. This presentation will cover various aspects of diversity seen amongst the different species of tridacnids, and between individuals of each species, in order to give attendees a better understanding of these organisms and the lighting needing to sustain them long-term in aquariums.