At a glance the quick version
Maximum shell size about 15 cm; the smallest of the giant clams.
Looks how to spot one
Thick folded shell with a brilliant mantle
A small giant clam with two heavy, wavy-edged valves that are greyish white outside, sometimes tinged orange or yellow. Open, it shows a mantle in blue, green, purple, gold, orange or brown, often marked with spots or stripes and lined with tiny eyes.12
Personality what they are like
Peaceful and undemanding of tankmates; once it chooses a spot it attaches firmly and should not be moved.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Sessile; in the wild it bores into coral heads and rock until only its mantle shows.13
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs strong lighting and stable reef water. Pick gentle tankmates such as gobies, cardinalfish and small wrasses that leave the mantle alone.3
Home where they are happiest
A reef tank of at least about 75 L (20 US gal), placed on rock in the middle to upper zone. Retail guidance: 24-27 C, pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.023-1.025, gentle to moderate flow and high light.3
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Mostly fed by the algae living in its mantle, which make food from light, plus some filter feeding.23
Company who they like around
Does not need company; choose gentle tankmates that leave its mantle alone.13
The story where it all began
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck described it in 1819. Its habit of drilling into coral and its jewel-like mantle have made it a prized aquarium clam, with farmed animals now widely available.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- Described by Lamarck in 1819; family Cardiidae, subfamily Tridacninae.1
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern.1
- CITES (via SeaLifeBase)
- Appendix II.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Crocea Clam. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Crocea Clam?
Your Crocea Clam gets most of its food from the algae living in its mantle, which make food from light, plus some filter feeding. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding depends on the species, as many feed from the light and the water, so you can follow the food label and ask your vet for specific advice.23 Furry Diary plan
What does a Crocea Clam eat, and what should it never eat?
It is mostly fed by the algae in its mantle that make food from light, along with some filter feeding. Never feed it anything not recommended for reef tanks, and always check with your vet or a good breeder for safe options.23
How much space does a Crocea Clam need?
It needs a reef tank of at least about 75 L (20 US gal), placed on rock in the middle to upper zone. This gives it room to attach firmly and show its beautiful mantle.3
What temperature, light or water does a Crocea Clam need?
It needs stable reef water at 24-27 C, pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.023-1.025, with gentle to moderate flow and high light. Furry Diary's plan includes weekly salinity and water tests, daily top-ups with fresh RO water, and fortnightly 10-20% water changes.3 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Crocea Clam's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly water test and salinity check, plus a 10-20% water change every two weeks. Also top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water, and check the light monthly. Furry Diary plan
Can a Crocea Clam live with others?
Yes, it is peaceful and undemanding of tankmates, but choose gentle ones like gobies, cardinalfish and small wrasses that leave its mantle alone. It does not need company, so tankmates are optional.31
How long does a Crocea Clam live?
Lifespan varies and is not specified in the available information, so ask your vet or a good breeder for guidance on how long your clam may live.
Can I handle a Crocea Clam?
No, once it chooses a spot it attaches firmly and should not be moved, as it is sessile and bores into rock. Handling can stress or harm it, so leave it in place.31
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Tridacna crocea (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, shell and mantle, IUCN, history
- Tridacna crocea (SeaLifeBase) sealifebase.seused for size, depth, temperature, range, CITES
- Crocea Clam (Saltwaterfish.com) saltwaterfish.comused for aquarium care, water parameters, tank size, tankmates
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.