clam question

Zos4me

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i picked up this clam and im not sure what kind it is. It kind of looks like a squimosa but it has an outline of blue around the mantle.Pic isnt that great but hopefully can be identified
Also im being stupid here but what does the clam need light for. Living on the ocean all my life I have never heard this
Thanks in advance

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rkpetersen

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Yes, Tridacna derasa. Easiest way to tell them from other species is the very smooth shell that derasas have; no scutes sticking out. Also the mantle tissue is usually brownish/golden in color with a blue rim, as with yours.

All tridacnas need good light although the derasa needs the least of the various species. Tridacna clams need light because, like corals, they have millions of zooxanthellae algae embedded in their tissue. The algae produce excess sugars and other nutrients which the tridacnas then live on. Tridacnas are filter feeders too but studies have shown that they can almost get by on just what the algae provide, if there's enough light.
 

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