Maxima Clam

The Maxima Clam,Tridacna Maxima, also known as the small giant clam, is a species of bivalve mollusc found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Is a giant bivalve species of the Cardiidae family. Popular among the aquarists, it is often found in a marine aquarium.  In Polynesia This species is called “Pahua ” and enters the local cuisine. Adults develop a large shell that adheres to the substrate with the fine woven linen, a tuft of long, tenacious filaments protruding from a hole near the hinge. The small giant clam has the widest range of all giant clam species. It is found in the oceans surrounding East Africa, India, China, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Red Sea, and the islands of the Pacific.

Found living on the surface of reefs or sand, or partly embedded in coral, the small giant clam occupies well-lit areas, due to its symbiotic  relationship with photosynthetic algae, which require sunlight for energy production It is a sessile bivalve that can reach an impressive size from 40cm to 60 cm. During the day, it opens its mantle, often very colorful (blue, green, violet…) To ensure the photosynthesis of its symbiotic algae, which contribute to nourish it. It is however able to shrink very quickly and to close suddenly by breaking any object that could be found between its two solid valves actuated by an extremely powerful muscle.

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