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Ctenoides scaber
This is a species of saltwater clam, photographed in the coral reefs off the island of Tobago. It is errantly called Flame Scallop, it is a clam rather than a scallop. They wedge themselves in crevices in the coral...and are accordingly usually difficult to spot and photograph. This clam was closer to the edge of the coral, and could be seen siphoning seawater through its gills by slowly opening and closing the shell. It cannot completely close, but in the process the white tentacles wave in the water, presumably to assist in bringing food into the red mantle.
Spotted on Nov 9, 2005
Submitted on Apr 12, 2015
1 Comment
Project Noah Fun Fact: The flame scallop is a species of saltwater clam and is not closely related to true scallops. Its vibrant red color is due to the large amount of carotenoids found within their body. Carotenoids are organic pigments that are found in the chloroplasts and chromoplasts of plants and some other photosynthetic organisms, including some bacteria and some fungi. Flame scallops are herbivorous, eating only phytoplankton.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame_scal...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotenoid...
Flame Scallop, or Rough Fileclam (Ctenoides scaber) spotted in Trinidad and Tobago by PN member Jim Nelson.
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