[1][3] It is one of a number of large clam species native to the shallow coral reefs of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.

It is distinguished by the large, leaf-like fluted edges on its shell called 'scutes' and a byssal opening that is small compared to those of other members of the subfamily Tridacninae.

Normal coloration of the mantle ranges from browns and purples to greens and yellows arranged in elongated linear or spot-like patterns.

Sessile in adulthood, the clam's mantle tissues act as a habitat for the symbiotic single-celled dinoflagellate algae (zooxanthellae) from which it gets a major portion of its nutrition.

However, it is not nearly as dependent on this photosynthesis as other tridacnids such as Tridacna crocea or T. maxima, and it also consumes phytoplankton to complete its diet.