Animal Profiles
Molluscs

Giant Clam

Tridacna gigas

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The giant clam is a large reef-dwelling bivalve of the tropical Indo-Pacific. Algae living in its exposed mantle supply much of its nutrition.

Tridacna gigas, the representative described in this account.

Tridacna gigas, the representative described in this account.

Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Giant clams occupy shallow coral-reef lagoons and reef flats.
Habitat
Coral reef, Coast
Diet
Filter feeder
Food
The gills filter suspended particles from seawater.

Classification

Common name
Giant Clam
Browse group
Molluscs
Scientific name or taxon
Tridacna gigas
Taxon rank
species
Order
Cardiida
Family
Cardiidae
Genus
Tridacna
Source classification
Bivalvia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It is a bivalve mollusc.
  • The mantle houses symbiotic algae.
  • Adults remain settled in one place.

Habitat and range

Giant clams occupy shallow coral-reef lagoons and reef flats. They settle among sand and coral rubble where sufficient light reaches the mantle tissues.

Appearance and adaptations

Two massive shell valves have deeply folded edges. The colourful mantle extends into the light and houses symbiotic algae; it retracts when the animal is disturbed.

Diet and behaviour

The gills filter suspended particles from seawater. Photosynthetic partners supply additional energy, making light important even though the clam itself is an animal rather than a plant.

Sources

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