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Phylum Mollusca > Class Bivalvia > Subfamily Tridacninae
Fluted giant clam
Tridacna squamosa
Family Tridacnidae
updated May 2020
Where seen? This beautifully sculptured giant clam is sometimes seen on our undisturbed Southern shores, near living reefs.

Features: 15-30cm. The two-part shell has 5-6 rows of deep open flutes on the valves. The wavy shell opening faces the sunlight, while the hinged side is firmly attached to rocks or coral rubble in relatively shallow water near living reefs. It does not burrow into coral or hard surfaces. When submerged, the thick 'lips' of fleshy tissue are expanded. These come in various colours and patterns, from those that camouflage against its surroundings to bright colours.

Human uses: Giant clams are considered a delicacy and in some places, an aphrodisiac. The large shells of these magnificent creatures are often turned into tacky souvenirs like ash-trays. There are efforts to cultivate giant clams on a commercial basis so as to reduce over-collection of wild clams.

Status and threats: The Fluted giant clam (Tridacna squamosa) is listed as 'Endangered' on the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore. According to the Singapore Red Data Book: "Large specimens have virtually disappeared from our shores. Young specimens are occasionally but infrequently seen".

Sisters Island, Jan 04

Thick fleshy 'lips' when submerged.
Pulau Biola, May 10

Young Fluted giant clam.
Terumbu Semakau, May 12

Big Sisters Island, Jul 13

Terumbu Hantu, Jun 13

Pulau Jong, Nov 08

Fluted giant clams on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Sentosa Serapong, May 14
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.

Lazarus Island, Mar 16
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.

Lazarus Island, Jan 17
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.


Cyrene, Aug 17
Photo shared by Abel Yeo on facebook.

Pulau Tekukor, Jun 16
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

Terumbu Raya, May 10
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.


Pulau Semakau, May 10
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.

Pulau Semakau, 1 May 09

Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.

Pulau Semakau East, Nov 14
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.


Terumbu Semakau, May 10
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.


Terumbu Bemban, Apr 11
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her blog.

Terumbu Bemban, Apr 11
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her blog.

Beting Bemban Besar, Apr 10
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his flickr.


Pulau Salu, Aug 10

Pulau Salu, Aug 10
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

Pulau Biola, May 10


Pulau Senang, Jun 10

Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his flickr.

Pulau Berkas, May 10
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his flickr.


Links

References

  • Eckman W, Vicentuan-Cabaitan K & Todd PA (2014) Observations on the hyposalinity tolerance of fluted giant clam (Tridacna squamosa, Lamarck 1819) larvae. Nature in Singapore, 7: 111–116.
  • Neo Mei Lin & Loh Kok Sheng. 5 September 2014. Giant clam shells ‘graveyard’ at Semakau Landfill, Tridacna squamosa. Singapore Biodiversity Records 2014: 248-249.
  • Neo ML & Todd PA (2013) Conservation status reassessment of giant clams (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Tridacninae) in Singapore. Nature in Singapore, 6: 125–133.
  • Neo ML, Todd PA, Chou LM & Teo SL-M (2011) Spawning induction and larval development in the fluted giant clam, Tridacna squamosa (Bivalvia: Tridacnidae). Nature in Singapore, 4: 157–161.
  • Tan Siong Kiat and Henrietta P. M. Woo, 2010 Preliminary Checklist of The Molluscs of Singapore (pdf), Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore.
  • Tan, K. S. & L. M. Chou, 2000. A Guide to the Common Seashells of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 160 pp.
  • Gosliner, Terrence M., David W. Behrens and Gary C. Williams. 1996. Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific: Animal life from Africa to Hawaii exclusive of the vertebrates Sea Challengers. 314pp.
  • Davison, G.W. H. and P. K. L. Ng and Ho Hua Chew, 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened plants and animals of Singapore. Nature Society (Singapore). 285 pp.
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