Tridacna Crocea - Giant clam embedded in coral Demonstrating variable zooxanthellae colorization in mantle

Image ID: reef0021, The Coral Kingdom Collection
Location: Palau, Western Caroline Islands
Photo Date: July 1974
Photographer: Dr. James P. McVey, NOAA Sea Grant Program

Photo Source:
The NOAA Photo Library - http://www.photolib.noaa.gov
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA) - http://www.noaa.gov/
Copyright Information - http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/aboutimages.html



Comments
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Tridacna crocea (a.k.a. boring clam, crocus clam, crocea clam, or saffron-colored clam) is a bivalve species belonging to the family Cardiidae. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region. This clam is the smallest in the subfamily Tridacninae, growing up to a maximum shell size of 15 cm. Its two thick valves are joined by a hinge, typically spanning between a third and less than half of the shell’s width. The color of its valves is generally greyish-white, sometimes with hints of pink-orange, yellow, or orange. When open, the brightly colored mantle, which covers the internal organs, can be various shades of blue, green, purple, gold, orange, or brown, often patterned with spots, stripes, or squiggles. Tridacna crocea burrows into the substrate, wearing away the outer surface of its valves and securing itself to the seabed using byssal threads. Its typical habitat is embedded in massive corals.

Order: Cardiida > Family: Cardiidae > Subfamily: Tridacninae > Genus: Tridacna > Species: Tridacna crocea