Fluted Giant Clam (6”) and Sea Fan Sculpture (17”)

Fluted Giant Clam (6”) and Sea Fan Sculpture (17”)

The Red Sea Fan comes from the deep parts of the reefs of the Indian Ocean and has a classic sea fan appearance. It is red in color and the thin branches are woven creating a mesh-like appearance. The branches have many very small white polyps that are usually only seen at night when the lights of the aquarium are off. The base of this gorgonian is brown in color, and is usually attached to a small piece of rock.

The Fluted Giant Clam, Tridacna squamosa, is one of a number of large clam species native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is distinguished by the presence of large leaf-like fluted edges on its shell called 'scutes' which are often used as shelter by organisms such as small crabs, clams and other invertebrates. Normal colouration of the mantle ranges from browns and purples to greens, blues and yellows which are arranged in elongated linear or spot-like patterns. The two-part shell has 5-6 rows of deep open flutes on the valves. The wavy shell opening faces the sunlight, while the hinged side is firmly attached to rocks or coral rubble in relatively shallow water near living reefs.