Flame Scallop

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Caribbean Sea and tropical western Atlantic. Found in shaded crevices, caves, and reef cracks under moderate water currents.

Taxonomy: Class Bivalvia, family Limidae. Double-shelled mollusk with a rough exterior. Grows up to 10 cm in size.

Social Behavior: Sessile filter feeder. Can swim short distances by clapping its valves together. Remains anchored to rocks via byssus threads.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: White shell contrasted by bright flame-red or orange mantle and long sensory tentacles. No visible sexual dimorphism.

Tank Setup: Needs a mature reef tank with plenty of rock crevices and shady areas. Maintain moderate flow to carry food particles directly to it.

Diet and Feeding: Obligate filter feeder. Requires daily targeted dosing of live phytoplankton, micro-zooplankton, and organic suspension foods.

Water Quality: Reef standards. Maintain temperature 22-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity 1.023-1.025. Requires calcium (400-450 ppm) and alkalinity stability.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Peaceful. Avoid large crabs, aggressive hermit crabs, and predatory fish like wrasses or triggerfish that may pry open the shell.

Aquarium Breeding: Extremely difficult. Reproduces in the wild by releasing planktonic larvae into the water column.

Risks and Diseases: Starvation is the leading cause of death in captivity. If daily targeted feeding is neglected, it will slowly fade away.