Living in a symbiotic relationship with algae, the fully grown giant clam in this photo is a smaller, close relative of the species (T. gigas) that can, at full size, achieve a length of 1.7 meters in about 30 years. In contrast, the "giant" clam in this photo attains a maximum length of two feet. Worldwide, all species of mature giant clams, large and small, are vital as breeding stock, but often poached.
