Tridacna Clam

This image of a tridacna clam was taken by NOAA photographers in Kingman Reef near the Hawaii. Tridacna clams are found in shallow waters in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. There are many species, each with its own unique color patterns. The mantle of the clam gets its bright colors from a type of photosynthetic algae that uses sunlight to make food for the clam. Tridacna clams can grow quite large in the wild. The largest, known as the giant clam, can grow to 47 inches (120 centimeters) across and weigh more than 440 pounds (200 kilograms). Tridacna clams are popular with aquarium hobbyists due to their bright colors.

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