Fluted Giant Clam

With its massive, fluted shell and brilliant colours, the fluted giant clam is one of Singapore’s most awe-inspiring creatures! Its mantle is very colourful due to the presence of zooxanthellae, tiny single-celled algae which live within the mantle of the fluted giant clam. Like plants, these zooxanthellae can harness the power of sunlight to make food via photosynthesis. They provide food to the giant clam, and in return, the giant clam provides its zooxanthellae friends with a home within its body!

Sadly, this gentle giant is critically endangered in Singapore because it is threatened by land reclamation, water pollution, and overharvesting. Large ones are extremely rare and only a few smaller ones are seen today.