Sealife guideBivalves: shellfish wonders of the oceanThe marine mollusks

Last updated on 09/02/2025 at 12:22 AM

The class of bivalves is characterized by a shell composed of two parts, called valves, which are hinged and more or less symmetrical.

The noble pen shell is a type of bivalve

The most well-known bivalves include oysters, mussels, scallops and clams.

Bivalves have a calcium carbonate shell equipped with strong muscles that can close the two valves tightly in response to external threats.

Bivalves feed by filtering water through their gills. The water current is generated by the action of tiny cilia.

Discover marine bivalves

Giant rock scallop
(Crassadoma gigantea)

Great atlantic scallop
(Pecten maximus)

Noble pen shell
(Pinna nobilis)

Spiny pink scallop
(Chlamys hastata)

Discover marine mollusks

Adorned stiliger
(Stiliger ornatus)

Broadclub cuttlefish
(Ascarosepion latimanus)

Chambered nautilus
(Nautilus pompilius)

Dotted sea slug
(Peltodoris atromaculata)

Pharaoh cuttlefish
(Sepia pharaonis)

Red dendronotid
(Dendronotus rufus)

Spanish dancer
(Hexabranchus sanguineus)

Stubby squid
(Rossia pacifica)

Our latestUpdates

Thursday, October 30th 2025

The leopard blenny

The leopard blenny is a small reef fish from the Indo-Pacific ocean. It is easily recognized by its spotted coloration, which resembles that of a leopard. It lives on shallow coral reefs, feeds mainly on algae and polyps and skillfully camouflages among the corals to avoid predators.

Monday, October 27th 2025

The Spanish slipper lobster

The Spanish slipper lobster is a colorful crustacean found around reefs in the tropical waters of the northwestern Atlantic. Its flattened body and distinctive antennae allow it to hide in crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed on benthic invertebrates.

Monday, October 20th 2025

The Hawaiian archipelago, a volcanic gem of the pacific

Discover the Hawaiian archipelago, a volcanic paradise in the Pacific ocean where fiery mountains, lush forests and turquoise lagoons meet. Explore its islands, unique biodiversity and the geological forces that shaped this natural wonder.

Photo of the Day

Baleine à bosse
(Megaptera novaeangliae)