A living mantle spreads bright colour between two heavy shells. The pahua draws energy from sunlight through algae living in its tissues, while also filtering the water.
- Local names
- Pahua
About this species
Tridacna maxima is a familiar giant clam in Polynesian lagoons. Microscopic symbiotic algae, often called zooxanthellae, live in its tissues and use sunlight to produce organic food and oxygen. Their pigments contribute to its appearance, alongside the clam’s own light-reflecting structures.
The clam’s gills also capture suspended particles from the water. This combination of photosynthetic partners and filter feeding supports a life fixed in place on the reef.