Burrowing giant clams (Tridacna crocea) on the Shores of Singapore

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Phylum Mollusca > Class Bivalvia > Family Tridacnidae

Burrowing giant clam
Tridacna crocea
Family Tridacnidae
updated Dec 08

Where seen? This large clam with wavy 'lips' is sometimes seen on our undisturbed Southern shores, tucked into coral rubble and even among living corals. But it is often overlooked.

Features: At 10-15cm, it is the smallest of the giant clams. It is buried deep in living and dead coral in relatively shallow water near living reefs. It bores into the hard surface with a combination of chemical and mechanical methods that is still poorly understood.

Pulau Hantu, Aug 03

The two-part shell has shallow fluted sculpturing on the surface. When submerged, all that can often be seen are its thick 'lips' of fleshy tissue.

Status and threats: Like other creatures of the intertidal zone, they are affected by human activities such as reclamation and pollution. Trampling by careless visitors and over-collection can also affect local populations of young clams.