A Report on the Test Marketing of Giant Clams as Aquarium Specimens in Brisbane, Australia

Reports on the results of research based on the test-marketing of giant clams as aquarium specimens in Brisbane, Australia, in the third-quarter of 1991. Giant clams were distributed through six cooperating retail aquarium outlets and sold at a reasonable commercial price. This was considered to be $10 – 13 for T. crocea of 2.5 - 5cm (1 – 2") in size. Clams were supplied free of charge to cooperating retailers. In return they were required to complete survey forms and to try and ensure that purchasers of their clams did likewise, and to take care of the clams in their possession. The results indicate that giant clams are rated as very good aquarium specimens and in that respect were considered to be about as equally desirable as coral and anemones. The most desired size of clams was considered to be in the range 5 – 10cm (2 – 4") and purchasers on average thought that a price of around $19 would be reasonable for such clams, even though retailers suggested a slightly lower price. The margin of mark-up available to retailers in Queensland for sales of giant clam aquarium specimens in the size range 2.5 – 5cm seems quite low, particularly given the cost of the permit required from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. The permit and regulations enforced by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries are a major impediment to the development of the aquarium market in Queensland for giant clams. Apart from the expense involved for the retailer, purchasers are also required to hold permits from this Department. This places a major dampener on sales in Queensland given that permits must be obtained in advance by potential purchasers. Although commercial farming of clams exists in Queensland, farmers find it easier to export their products rather than to attempt to sell them in Queensland. This report also provides information about a number of other issues affecting the market for giant clams as aquarium specimens e.g. availability of information on keeping them in home aquariums, characteristics of purchasers and so on. The results also indicate that the Australian market for giant clams as aquarium specimens is about 5,000 per year. This is a similar estimate to that made in 1989 on the basis of a different survey