VIDEO GALLERY

ELECTRIC FLAME SCALLOP (Lima scabra)

The flame scallop or rough fileclam, Lima scabra, is a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Limidae. Although their name would suggest otherwise, flame scallops have no relation to scallops, besides their exterior. The flame scallop is found in the Caribbean Sea. Flame scallops have a rough outer shell with a red mantle. Surrounding the mantle are red and white tentacles. The flame scallop's vibrant red color is due to the large amount of carotenoids found within their body. Flame scallops can reach 3 in long. The gills are used for respiration and filtration.

Flame scallops rest in their own nests made of small coral and rocks. Because flame scallops have no photosynthetic properties, the herbivorous flame scallops eat only phytoplankton. During the consumption process, flame scallops sift and sort through the phytoplankton with their gills to determine what is appropriate for ingestion.

Anilao Critters (Slideshow)

Anilao Critters 2

VIDEO CLIPS

Wunderpus (2:26mins)

Weedy & Eschmeyer's scorpion fish (00:4:03sec)

Electric flame scallop (00:47secs)

Giant nudibranch eating (00:53secs)

Mimic nudibranch (Phyllodesmium rudmani) (00:1:26sec)

Hairy frog fish (Antennarius striatus) (00:04:18sec)