Disco clam

Ctenoides ales · The disco clam, also known as the electric clam, is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region, from Indonesia to Palau Islands and New-Caledonia.

Also called Electric clam, Electric flame scallop, Disco scallop.

Disco clam
Photo: KKPCW, CC BY-SA 4.0
Disco clam
Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0
Disco clam
Photo: Dmitry Domrin, CC BY 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumMollusca
ClassBivalvia
OrderLimida
FamilyLimidae
GenusCtenoides
SpeciesCtenoides ales

Where it lives

Reef crevices of the tropical Indo-Pacific, from Indonesia to Australia.

Fun facts

  • The clam's dazzling 'flashing' isn't bioluminescence — it's actually reflected sunlight or dive light bouncing off its tissue.
  • The flashing look comes from the mantle's edge rapidly exposing and hiding a highly reflective white tissue next to red tissue.
  • That mirror-like mantle edge is packed with tiny silica nanospheres, which give it its intense reflectivity.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).