Giant Clam
Tridacna gigas · try-DAK-na JY-gas
diurnalsolitaryVulnerable
EdibleFriendly
Superpower
Farms algae in its rainbow-coloured lips to feed itself sunlight.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 80 cm, up to 137 cm
- Lifespan
- 60–100 years
- Depth
- 1–20 m
Habitat
Sunlit reef flats, anchored in place for life.
Diet
Sugars from symbiotic algae in its mantle, plus filtered plankton.
Can I eat it?
Yes — edible · tastiness 6/10.
How to cook: Eaten ('taklobo') but protected — best left on the reef.
Fun facts
- It is the largest shellfish in the world.
- Its dazzling colours come from algae living in its flesh.
- Despite legends, it has never trapped a diver.