Tridacna gigas
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The giant clam faces severe population declines primarily due to overharvesting for its meat and massive shells, which are prized in international trade. Coastal development and coral reef degradation have destroyed critical shallow-water habitats, while climate change-induced coral bleaching and ocean acidification threaten the symbiotic algae essential for the clam's survival. Small, isolated populations are particularly vulnerable to local extinction from even minor disturbances.
Habitat
Giant clams inhabit shallow coral reefs and sandy lagoons in the Indo-Pacific, typically at depths of 1-20 meters where sunlight can reach their symbiotic algae. They require clear, warm tropical waters with stable coral reef ecosystems that provide both substrate for attachment and the water quality necessary for their filter-feeding lifestyle.
