WHATSTHATFISH
Bivalves & chitons

Scale-sided Piddock

Parapholas californica

Also known as: Angel Wings, California Piddock, Clam, Mollusc, Piddock Clam, Piddocks, Scaled Piddock, Scaleside Piddock

Adult
@epic · Monterey Bay Aquarium, United States · July 20211 / 2
01

Overview

Found over mud, shale, and hard substrate, of the ocean floor, where these clams bore holes, and construct chimneys, using tiny bits of rock, cemented with calcium carbonate, which become their burrows. Around exposed bays, and outer coasts, in the lower, intertidal areas.
Eastern Pacific - USA to Mexico

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
Body shape
shells
Behaviour
burrowing

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Eastern Pacific
  • Exact location · 2
LIVES IN

Found over mud, shale, and hard substrate, of the ocean floor, where these clams bore holes, and construct chimneys, using tiny bits of rock, cemented with calcium carbonate, which become their burrows.

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumMollusca
    3. classBivalvia
    4. orderMyida
    5. familyPholadidae
    6. genusParapholas
    7. speciesParapholas californica (Conrad, 1837)

    SourcesWoRMS

    06

    More in the family

    Myida