Scientific Name: Pedum spondyloideum
Common Name: Iridescent scallop, Coral scallop

Size: Up to 6 cm
Depth Range: 1 – 30 m
Habitat: Embedded in coral heads (especially Porites), often peeking out from small crevices
Diet: Filter feeder—extracts plankton and suspended particles from the water
Reproduction: Separate sexes; gametes are released into the water column for external fertilization
Fun Fact: Its electric-blue or purple mantle flashes with iridescence, and its tentacle-lined edge can detect movement—helping it snap shut in defense.

Observation Tip: Look closely into coral colonies—these shy bivalves blend perfectly into their host, but their shimmering mantle often gives them away.