Joel BergsmaUnderwater photographer · Expedition diver

Species

Clam

32 photos

A blue clam disguises itself by reflecting the color of the blue coral to its right. A "clam has no head, and usually has no eyes, (scallops are a notable exception), but a clam does have kidneys, a heart, a mouth, and an anus." [Wikipedia.]A green clam is reflective of and protected by the green coral surrounding it.Giant brown clam (about 4 feet across). We were told that this clam could be 200 years old. It was resting on the sandy floor of the German Channel beside some antler coral.Blue clam living with antler coral on the right.
Underwater photograph by Joel BergsmaA Clam mirrors the color of the coral in which it is wedged.Purple clam.A striking pattern appears on this blue clam found at Sam's Wall.
Another pattern is reflected in this green clam at Sam's Wall.Blue-green clam at Sam's Wall.Blue-green clam at rest at Sam's Wall. The colors, light, and patterns make these creatures so interesting to me.Close up photo of a green clam at Sam's Wall.Peering into the body of a clam at rest along Sam's Wall. "Clams feed on plankton by filter feeding. Clams filter feed by drawing in water containing food using an incurrent siphon. The food is then filtered out of the water by the gills and swept toward the mouth on a layer of mucus. The water is then expelled from the animal by an excurrent siphon." [Wikipedia 2011.]
Giant Clam. "Clams feed on plankton by filter feeding. Clams filter feed by drawing in water containing food using an incurrent siphon. The food is then filtered out of the water by the gills and swept toward the mouth on a layer of mucus. The water is then expelled from the animal by an excurrent siphon." [Wikipedia.]Underwater photograph by Joel BergsmaGiant Clam and its exhalant siphon. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.Green clam nestled beside green coral. "Clams feed on plankton by filter feeding. Clams filter feed by drawing in water containing food using an incurrent siphon. The food is then filtered out of the water by the gills and swept toward the mouth on a layer of mucus. The water is then expelled from the animal by an excurrent siphon." [Wikipedia.]Inhalant siphon of a Giant Clam. White Gills can be seen through the inhalant siphon. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.
Giant Clam (speckled green color) rests in the Ulong Channel. A clam this size can be 200 years old. It's about 4' across. "Clams feed on plankton by filter feeding. Clams filter feed by drawing in water containing food using an incurrent siphon. The food is then filtered out of the water by the gills and swept toward the mouth on a layer of mucus. The water is then expelled from the animal by an excurrent siphon." [Wikipedia.]Exhalant siphon of a Giant Clam. At the base of the exhalant siphon is a speckled, sponge-like organ. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.Giant Clam resting in the Ulong Channel. Note the fish on the left side of the photo is dwarfed by the size of this clam. "Clams feed on plankton by filter feeding. Clams filter feed by drawing in water containing food using an incurrent siphon. The food is then filtered out of the water by the gills and swept toward the mouth on a layer of mucus. The water is then expelled from the animal by an excurrent siphon." [Wikipedia.]Green Clam along Sam's Wall.
An aqua-marine Clam along Sam's Wall.A green clam with an intense pattern found along Sam's Wall.Giant Clam appears to reflect the shadows of the water overhead. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.A beautiful Boring Giant Clam. These clams "burrow deep into cracks in reefs" and are the smallest of the Giant Clams. See Paul Humann, et al, Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific (2010) at page 390.Underwater photograph by Joel Bergsma
Underwater photograph by Joel BergsmaUnderwater photograph by Joel BergsmaUnderwater photograph by Joel Bergsma
Underwater photograph by Joel BergsmaUnderwater photograph by Joel Bergsma

← Species index