With its vibrant fire red coloration and dramatic fringe of tentacles, the Flame Scallop can make a lovely addition to a miniature reef aquarium. This scallop can also be kept in groups for an impressive display.

The Flame Scallop is reef safe; indeed, it will do well in a tank with any animals that do not nibble at it. When threatened, the Flame Scallop will clap its shell shut and propel itself backward, through the water. Normally, however, the scallop will attach itself to coral rubble or rocks and will remain there. These shellfish are filter feeders which means that they feed on tiny particles of food suspended in the water. They will position themselves in locations that bring them food but these are not always where they can be seen easily. Some hobbyists suggest glueing them to desired positions but this is not a good idea.

A mature Flame Scallop usually measures 3 inches (8 centimeters) in diameter. Its mantle is a scarlet red, and feathery thread-like tentacles of the same color adorn the lip of the mantle, extending beyond the shell. Some individuals have light, almost white, tentacles. The shells that Flame Scallops are enclosed in are covered in a fine pattern of bumps, giving the scallop a rough texture. Normally, the shells are off-white in color.

Native to the Caribbean, the Flame Scallop is a peaceful invertebrate that can make an interesting addition to many established reef systems.

Flame Scallops will do well in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (23 to 26 degrees Celsius) and in water that has a pH value of 8.3 or 8.4. The pH value should be held constant. The specific gravity should remain between 1.023 and 1.025. Calcium should be maintained at a good level in the aquarium. Flame Scallops do not tolerate high nitrate levels. Flame Scallops are not aggressive and can be kept with a variety of other animals, so long as tank mates do not harm the scallops. Because they eat micro-plankton or other micro-organisms filtered from the water, Flame Scallops will do best when kept in mature reef tanks. They can be supplemented with micro-plankton, offered near the scallop with a pipette or a similar implement. Food may also be placed in a water current that will flow toward the scallop. Any feeding should be limited to very small amounts since the wasted food will degrade the water quality of the aquarium. Too much food may also be more than the scallop can handle.

There is currently no special breeding information in our databases for this animal. To submit breeding / propagation information that is specific to this animal please click here.