Giant Clam

The mammoth mollusc

#4 Facts about the Giant Clam

  1. As the largest bivalve mollusc, the Giant clam tips the scales at 200kg!
  2. They can also live to 100 years in the wild.
  3. Unlike many of our well travelled Reef creatures, the Giant Clam will find its home on the reef and remain there for its entire life. It lays on the ocean floor, feeding on plankton through a large, central opening.
  4. Unfortunately, its abductor muscle is considered a delicacy, landing it a place on the increasingly diverse list of vulnerable species.

#Reef Myth

Legends of the South Pacific tell of giant clams being able to trap and even devour passing divers. In truth, its shell moves far too slowly to cause distress to humans. Furthermore, there’s never been a recorded incidence of human death by clam.

#A colourful clam is a healthy clam

Tridacna

One unique feature of this species is its wide array of colours, although this trait does not distinguish one species from the other. The algae within the clam actually provides most of its alluring tones, while the clam's natural pigment features in contrast to that of the algae's. 

Colour vibrance is a good indicator of health, with dying algae bleaching to a bright white. Donate or Join the Reef community to give these endangered creatures a fighting chance.