Fauna
Invertebrate

China Clam

Hippopus porcellanus

Also known as Porcelain Clam, Porcelain Giant Clam

China clams are rare, heavy-shelled bivalves distinguished by their smooth, porcelain-like inner shell margins and tightly fitting, wavy valves. Unlike their giant clam relatives in the genus Tridacna, they possess a much narrower, slot-like opening that protects their colorful mantle. They live in shallow coral reef flats, relying on symbiotic algae to convert sunlight into energy.

MarineReef-DwellingSymbiotic
China Clam reference
(c) Pierre Pericard, some rights reserved (CC BY) / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhytoplankton, Dissolved organic nutrients
Predators
  • Octopuses
  • Triggerfish
  • Pyramidellid snails
ThreatsOverharvesting for the aquarium trade, shell collecting, and habitat degradation
HabitatsShallow coral reefs, sandy lagoons, and seagrass beds
Life spanUp to 30 to 50 years
Classification
  1. FamilyCardiidae
  2. SpeciesHippopus porcellanus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a distance; avoid touching or placing hands near the shell opening.
What to notice
Recognizable by its heavy, triangular shell with a relatively smooth, porcelain-white interior margin.
Support conservation
Never collect, move, or disturb these clams, and report any suspected poaching to local marine authorities.
Responsible observation
  • Observe from above: Look for the smooth, pale mantle with green or brown patterns visible through the narrow shell opening.
  • Do not touch: Avoid touching the mantle, as this causes the clam to abruptly retract and partially close its heavy valves.
  • Maintain buoyancy: Keep off the seabed to avoid kicking up sediment that can smother the clam's photosynthetic mantle.
Related species
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