Fluted giant clam (Tridacna squamosa)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Tridacna squamosa
- Common name
- Fluted giant clam
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Cardiidae
- Genus
- Tridacna
- Size
- 30–60 cm
- Depth
- 0–18 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, filter-feeder, symbiotic
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Tridacna squamosa reaches 60 cm. Large giant clam with cream-white shell body characterized by 4-6 radial ribs with prominent erect scales (hence squamosa, scaly). Interior mantle highly variable colored (electric blue, green, purple, brown, yellow with marbled patterns) thanks to symbiotic zooxanthellae. Lives from 0 to 18 m on coral reefs of entire Indo-Pacific. Listed LC but local decline. Passive filter feeder and photosynthetic. Iconic wide-angle photo subject. Smaller than T. gigas (in seed) and T. derasa, but more colored.
Photo of Fluted giant clam
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Fluted giant clam?
- Fluted giant clam (Tridacna squamosa) reaches 30–60 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Fluted giant clam?
- Fluted giant clam is found between 0–18 m deep.
- Is the Fluted giant clam dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Fluted giant clam?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Fluted giant clam?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Tridacna
- Tridacna crocea - Crocus giant clam
- Tridacna maxima - Maxima clam
- Tridacna gigas - Giant clam
- Tridacna derasa - Smooth Clam
Other species in the family Cardiidae
- Acanthocardia tuberculata - Rough cockle
- Cerastoderma glaucum - Lagoon cockle
- Hippopus hippopus - Hippopus Clam
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 207674)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4372624)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia