Giant Clam (Tridacna spp.)
Giant Clam (Tridacna spp.)
Tridacna spp.
Protected Status
ESA Candidate
Throughout Its Range
CITES Appendix II
Throughout Its Range
Quick Facts
Weight
Up to 500 pounds
Lifespan
100 years
Length
Up to 4.5 feet
Threats
Habitat degradation,
Sedimentation and pollution,
Overfishing,
Illegal trade and poaching,
Climate change,
Disease
Region
Pacific Islands
About the Species
Giant clams are the largest living marine bivalves and typically inhabit tropical coral reefs in coastal regions throughout the Indo-Pacific. Giant clams are members of the Subfamily Tridacninae, which consists of two genera: Tridacna and Hippopus.
Currently, 7 giant clam species are candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. This includes five species in the genus Tridacna (T. derasa, T. gigas, T. mbalavuana (tevoroa), T. squamosa, and T. squamosina (costata) and two species in the genus Hippopus (H. hippopus and H. porcellanus).
Protected Status
ESA Candidate
- Throughout Its Range
CITES Appendix II
- Throughout Its Range
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Mollusca | Class | Bivalvia | Order | Cardiida | Family | Cardiidae | Genus | Tridacna | Species |
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