Scientific name : Tridacna crocea
Class : Bivalvia (bivalve molluscs : oysters, mussels, cockles…)
Size : Up to 15 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific
Biology : The crocus clam is very small for a clam. It has the particularity of being able to perforate rock in order to become embedded in it, and can even live in the middle of massive coral.
The crocus clam, like other clams, has a surprising characteristic for a bivalve : it is capable of photosynthesis. Like corals, it harbours symbiotic algae in its tissues, enabling it to draw part of its energy from sunlight.
IUCN status : Least concern
