Species · GBIF taxon 4372631
Noah's Giant Clam
Tridacna noaeAlso known as Teardrop Giant Clam, Noah's Clam
Noah's giant clams showcase stunning, vibrant mantles adorned with distinctive teardrop-shaped spots outlined in gold or white. These marine bivalves anchor themselves securely to shallow coral reefs, where they expose their colorful tissues to the sun to nourish their symbiotic algae. While long mistaken for the small giant clam, they are distinguished by their unique mantle patterns and discrete genetic lineage.
MarineReef DwellerSymbiotic
Licensed referenceiNaturalist user: thibaudaronson / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Photosynthetic sugars from symbiotic algae and filter-fed plankton
- family
- Cardiidae
- threats
- Overharvesting for the aquarium trade, habitat degradation, and ocean warming
- life Span
- Up to 50 to 100 years
NE
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Vulnerable to localized depletion from overharvesting for the aquarium trade and coastal development.
Never touch, step on, or attempt to pry the clam from its coral substrate.- Do not touch: Avoid touching the sensitive mantle tissue, which causes the clam to snap shut.
- Maintain distance: Keep a respectful distance while snorkeling to prevent casting a shadow that triggers defensive retraction.