Fluted giant clam - Tridacna squamosa

https://meilin5giantclam.wordpress.com/2016/10/20/is-this-i-think-it-is-no-wait-what/
https://www.tidalgardens.com/blog/tridacna-clams-reef-aquariums-maxima-squamosa-crocea-derasa-gigas-clams/

comments (18)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Marta, this photo is ridiculous. This thing does not exist. It can't be real. Posted 9 months ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  Hahaha! Mark and I were discussing it would make a great frame in a wall because it looks very colorful and abstract :-) Posted 9 months ago

Yael Orgad

Lion

someone was heavy on LSD when he made this creature... Posted 9 months ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  Hahaaha! yes, many things in the underwater world are very surreal! :-D Posted 9 months ago

Christine Young

Lion

I agree with the above! The only thing I can add is: WHOA! Posted 9 months ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Christine! I take you like it! :-) Posted 9 months ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Lol, yes!! Love it! Posted 9 months ago

NattyOne

Lion

Wonderful, creature and great photograph. Posted 9 months ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  Many thanks! Posted 9 months ago

Christine Young

Lion

Today's Facebook post:

What is it?! A Fluted Giant Clam (Tridacna squamosa)! It's native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. And it is a fairly giant-sized clam, as its name implies: it grows to 40 cm (16 in) across! Algae (zooxanthellae) live in the clam's mantle tissue and provide most of the clam's nutrition. The clam's wavy shell opening faces towards the sunlight and it spreads out its mantle tissue so that the algae receive the sunlight they need in order to photosynthesize. This relationship is a great example of symbiosis. {Spotted in Indonesia by JungleDragon moderator, Patomarazul} #JungleDragon #Flutedgiantclam #Tridacnasquamosa

Check out more of Marta's photos here and be amazed by the diversity she captures on land and in the ocean: https://www.jungledragon.com/user/2298/popular

https://www.facebook.com/jungledragonwildlife Posted 9 months ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  Like I said in FB it could not be any better explained. This is a very nice abstract for this species. Many thanks, Christine! :-) Posted 9 months ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    You're welcome, Marta! In your dives, do you find these to be somewhat common? I read that they are dependent on conservation efforts. Some websites state that they are common, while others go as far as to say they are endangered. Just curious if you see them commonly? Posted 9 months ago
  2. 1. Patomarazul
      
      Lion
      
      I think they are "locally"common. I have seen them in many of my dives in the Indo-Pacific Ocean but they were only common in some dive sites. In some places there is more of the species of smaller size. Maybe they used to be a lot more abundant so in places where we now see one every 10 m before there was I don't know 20? just to imagine an example. I remember seeing many in the area of Krabi in Thailand and also in Lankayan in the North of Borneo. I guess like everything else in the sea world they are endagered by overfishing techniques and pollution. I hope they will be resilient enough to stand human activity! Posted 9 months ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Makes sense. It sounds like as long as they aren't overfished or killed off by pollution, then the populations appear to be relatively stable. Posted 9 months ago
      2. Patomarazul
        
        Lion
        
        Hopefully! it will depend also on the healthiness of the coral reef to which they are associated as well, in special for the encrusting ones...fingers crossed for them! Posted 9 months ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Yep!! Posted 9 months ago

Ernst

Lion

Love it but I am confused. Posted 9 months ago
1. Patomarazul
  
  Lion
  
  Haha! maybe this helps?
  https://meilin5giantclam.wordpress.com/2016/10/20/is-this-i-think-it-is-no-wait-what/
  https://www.tidalgardens.com/blog/tridacna-clams-reef-aquariums-maxima-squamosa-crocea-derasa-gigas-clams/ Posted 9 months ago

The Fluted giant clam

''Tridacna squamosa'', known commonly as the fluted giant clam and scaly clam, is one of a number of large clam species native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Info 5 0

Similar species: Veneroida

Species identified by Patomarazul