Tridacna gigas (Linnaeus, 1758)
Giant clam
Tridacna gigas
photo by Gumanao, Girley

Family:  Cardiidae (cockles)
Max. size:  137 cm SHL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 500 kg
Environment:  benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 35 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: from Myanmar then east to Wallis and Futuna, north to Japan and south to western Australia. Introduced beyond Wallis and Futuna in the Pacific.
Diagnosis:  It is white and fan-shaped with deep radiating ribs.
Biology:  Known to be the largest bivalve mollusks that exist. Exploited for its meat and shell, this species has recently become nearly extinct within an important part of its range, due to over collecting. Trials of aquaculture under progress for the restocking of reefs and local farming (Ref. 348).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 01 August 1996 (A2cd) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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