Electric flame scallop (Ctenoides ales) care guide

Group
Other invertebrates
Other names
Disco scallop, Disco clam, Electric clam, Electric file clam, Lima ales
Family
Limidae
Origin
Central Indo-Pacific from Indonesia to Palau and New Caledonia; reef crevices
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
7.5 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
SG 1.023–1.025, dKH 8–12
Minimum tank
100 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes
Flow
Moderate, indirect flow carrying food

Care

The electric flame scallop is a file clam with a red mantle edged by a fringe of red tentacles. Its party trick is a rippling, flashing light along the mantle edge that looks electric. This is not bioluminescence: the clam rapidly rolls out and hides a strip of white tissue packed with tiny silica spheres that reflect ambient light, alternating with the red tissue. Research suggests the display deters predators. It is closely related to the more common flame scallop, Ctenoides scaber. Feeding warning: it is a filter feeder with no symbiotic algae, so it depends entirely on fine floating food. Like other filter feeders it is very hard to keep fed and most die slowly of starvation in aquariums within months. Only buy it if you can dose phytoplankton and fine foods daily and feed it individually. Set-up: a mature reef or a dedicated filter-feeder tank with moderate, indirect flow, plenty of crevices and low to moderate light (it prefers shade). It wedges itself in a crack, attaching by byssal threads, and may build a small nest of rubble. When threatened it swims by clapping its shells. Cover pump intakes, as swimming clams can be sucked in. Water: stable reef conditions with good calcium and alkalinity, low nitrate and no copper. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose copper in a tank holding this animal, and check fertiliser and medicine labels before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ctenoidesales); LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/flame-scallop-expert-only, care sheet for the related Ctenoides scaber). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Filter feeder. Needs daily live or high-quality bottled phytoplankton, plus fine particulate and liquid foods (rotifers, oyster eggs, marine snow-type products). Feed each scallop individually by gently releasing food upstream of it with a pipette. Even with care, most do not survive long.

Breeding

File clams release eggs and sperm into the water and have planktonic larvae. They are not bred in home aquariums; all are wild-caught.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and coral safe. Eaten or harassed by angelfish, butterflyfish, puffers, triggers, wrasses, crabs and large hermits. Keep away from strong-stinging corals and anemones. Best in a quiet, dedicated tank with gentle fish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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