Squamosina Clam
Tridacna squamosina
Also known as Red Sea Giant Clam, Tridacna costata
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 11.8 in (30 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal (250 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Red Sea, endemic from the Gulf of Aqaba south to Yemen
- Family
- Cardiidae
Overview
A peaceful, sessile clam that sits where you place it, filtering the water while its zooxanthellae photosynthesize. Farm-raised stock is reported to be hardy and fast growing under medium to high light, though it still needs mature water and protection from clam-nipping fish. Occasional phytoplankton feedings help smaller specimens along.
In the wild
Endemic to the Red Sea, where it lives in the shallowest water of any giant clam, on reef flats, rubble, and seagrass in less than 3 m of water. In the aquarium it wants intense, stable lighting high on the rockwork and the same steady calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels as any other tridacnid.
Good to know
Tridacna squamosina was described in 1899, then overlooked for more than a century until Red Sea researchers rediscovered it in 2008 under the name Tridacna costata, now a synonym. It is a giant clam in the family Cardiidae, subfamily Tridacninae, told apart by tall shell scutes and a mantle with fine bright lines and a green rim, and like its relatives it hosts photosynthetic zooxanthellae that supply most of its energy.
Did you know
This is widely considered the rarest of the giant clams, with only a few dozen wild individuals documented since scientists confirmed the species, and wild collection is banned. Every clam in the trade comes from a small number of Red Sea farms, and the first one only reached a hobby aquarium around 2019.
Common questions
What size tank does a Squamosina Clam need?
A Squamosina Clam needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Squamosina Clam need?
Squamosina Clam are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big do Squamosina Clam get?
An adult Squamosina Clam reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
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Related species
Maxima Clam
Tridacna maximaSaltwater13.8 in (35 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
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Squamosa Clam
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Derasa Clam
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Crocea Clam
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