Flame Scallop - Cleanup Crew

The Electric Jewel of the Reef

A living jewel of the ocean, the Flame Scallop is one of the most visually stunning and unique invertebrates available in the marine aquarium hobby. With its brilliant red mantle and long, flowing tentacles, it is a truly captivating sight. But the true magic happens along the edge of the mantle, where mesmerizing arcs of what appears to be electric blue light dance continuously, creating an unforgettable natural light show.

This "electric" display, a trick of reflected light, makes the Flame Scallop a showpiece addition. It will often find a crevice in the rockwork, attach itself with fine threads, and build a small nest, from which it extends its vibrant tentacles to filter the water. While its beauty is undeniable, its care is highly specific. This is not a creature for the casual hobbyist, but a rewarding challenge for the dedicated aquarist committed to its unique needs.

A Note for the Dedicated Aquarist:

The Flame Scallop is an expert-only animal with a high mortality rate in home aquariums. Its survival is entirely dependent on specialized feeding, as it is a non-photosynthetic filter-feeder. Please read the care requirements thoroughly before purchasing. Success with this animal is a true mark of a skilled and attentive reef keeper.

Why the Flame Scallop is a Unique Challenge:

• Mesmerizing Electric Display: The constantly moving, bright blue "sparks" along its mantle are unlike anything else in the aquarium.
• Vibrant Coloration: Its deep red body and tentacles provide a brilliant splash of color against live rock.
• Unique Filter-Feeder: As a bivalve, it adds biodiversity and serves a different function than most common aquarium inhabitants.
• Fascinating Behavior: Watching it build its nest or "swim" by clapping its shells together is a remarkable sight.

Care & Specifications

Success with a Flame Scallop is directly tied to meeting its demanding feeding and environmental needs. Stability and a mature system are not recommendations; they are requirements.

Feeding is Paramount: This is the single most important factor for the Flame Scallop's survival. They will starve to death in a matter of months without proper, consistent feeding.

• Diet: Microscopic Phytoplankton. They cannot survive on dissolved organics or leftover fish food alone.
• Recommended Foods: A high-quality, live or refrigerated phytoplankton culture is essential.
• Feeding Method: The tank must be dosed with phytoplankton at least once daily. For best results, use a syringe or turkey baster to gently target feed near the scallop (without blasting it directly) in its low-flow area. This ensures it receives a concentrated source of food.

Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons, but a larger, more stable volume is highly recommended.
• System Maturity: Must be introduced into a fully mature aquarium, ideally one that has been established for over 6 months to a year.
• Aquascape: Requires deep caves, overhangs, and plenty of porous live rock. It needs a dark, low-flow area where it can attach and build its nest without being disturbed.

Placement is Key:

• Flow: Place in a very low-flow area of the tank. High flow will prevent it from capturing food and may cause it to remain closed, leading to starvation.
• Lighting: Requires low, shaded lighting. Intense, direct lighting is stressful and should be avoided. Never place a Flame Scallop on the open sandbed or at the top of the rockwork.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: $72-78°F$ ($22-25.5°C$)

• Specific Gravity: $1.023-1.025$

• pH: $8.1-8.4$

• Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate: As close to 0 ppm as possible.

• Calcium & Alkalinity: Must be kept stable, as it uses these elements to build its shell.

Compatibility: The Flame Scallop is completely peaceful but defenseless. It must not be housed with fish or invertebrates that would prey upon it, such as Triggerfish, Pufferfish, large Wrasses, most crabs, and predatory shrimp like the Coral Banded Shrimp.

Acclimation: IMPORTANT: Like all invertebrates, the Flame Scallop is highly sensitive to changes in water chemistry. Drip acclimation is mandatory. Please acclimate very slowly over a period of 60-90 minutes.