Flame Scallop

Description:

Photo take at -25 ft near the coast on a algae bed bottom, this one was out of the hole it belongs and it was moving around the sea floor ejecting water. It has the ability to swim by opening and closing its shells and expelling water from its internal cavity similar to how a jet engine expels air. They also have a row of tiny eyespots around the edge of the mantle similar to Tridacna clams, which helps them escape predators when seen by jetting away.

Habitat:

Inhabits shallow reef environments, and found embedded among stones/rocks and coral rubble found from Florida all the Caribbean sea to Central America.