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Bivalves & chitons

Giant Clam

Tridacna gigas

Also known as: Clam, Giant Clam, Gigantic Clam, Gigas Clam, Mollusc, True Giant Clam

CRCritically EndangeredIUCN Red List, 2024
Add a photo
Adult
1
@fishx6 · Clam Beds - Great Barrier Reef, Australia · July 20091 / 28
01

Overview

Found on flat areas, over broken coral or sand, of isolated off-shore reefs.

This the giant of clams can weigh up to 200kgs and live in the wild to over 100years!

Most Bivalves are permanently anchored in fissures or depressions in the rock surface of the reef, some may become covered in algae and other marine life.
Other Bivalves swim free, either by a well developed foot or propelled along by a jet of water from their mantle cavity.

02

How to identify

COLOURS

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Exact location · 6
  • Country only · 22
LIVES IN

Found on flat areas, over broken coral or sand, of isolated off-shore reefs.

RANGE
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Adult photos 28

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumMollusca
    3. classBivalvia
    4. orderCardiida
    5. familyCardiidae
    6. genusTridacna
    7. speciesTridacna gigas (Linnaeus, 1758)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

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    Necklace Giant Clam

    Tridacna derasa

    17 photos

    Rosewater Clam

    Tridacna rosewateri

    1 photo