Source: Wikimedia Commons
Bear Paw Clam (Hippopus Hippopus)
IntermediateHippopus hippopus
Reaching 50 cm in shell length, with a thick, heavy shell blotched in reddish brown that suggests a bear's paw, hence the English name. Its mantle does not extend past the shell margin, so mantle colour is subdued.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
24〜27℃
Size
Shell length to 50cm
Diet
Mainly photosynthesis by the zooxanthellae in its mantle; small specimens also filter-feed on phytoplankton.
About
Hippopus hippopus is a giant clam of the Indo-West Pacific. The shell is thick and heavy, banded with reddish-brown blotches; the pattern and shape suggest a bear's paw, giving the English name, and it is also called the horse's hoof clam. Unlike Tridacna species its mantle does not extend far beyond the shell margin, so little of it shows from above and its colour, brown or greyish green, is subdued. The sculpture and markings of the shell are what is valued instead. On reef flats it commonly lies free on sand or rubble rather than anchoring by byssus, and in the aquarium it can likewise sit directly on the sand bed. It is zooxanthellate and draws most of its nutrition from photosynthesis, so it still needs fairly strong lighting. The IUCN assessed it as Vulnerable in 2024, and as a member of the Tridacnidae it is covered by the blanket CITES Appendix II listing.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Size of the Bear Paw Clam (Hippopus Hippopus)
The Bear Paw Clam (Hippopus Hippopus) grows to Shell length to 50cm.
SeaLifeBase gives its depth range as 0-30 m and a maximum shell length of 50 cm.
Temperature & humidity for the Bear Paw Clam (Hippopus Hippopus)
The ideal temperature for the Bear Paw Clam (Hippopus Hippopus) is 24〜27℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Indo-West Pacific, on reefs at depths of 0-30 m
Size
Shell length to 50cm
Temperature
Care Specifications
- Carbonate (KH)
- 8–12 dKH
- Water Temp.
- 24–27℃
- Specific Gravity
- 1.023–1.025
- Salinity
- 33–35 ppt
- Calcium (Ca)
- 400–450 ppm
- Magnesium (Mg)
- 1280–1350 ppm
PeacefulLight: High (PAR>150)Flow: MediumPlacement: Bottom
Sources: SeaLifeBase (Hippopus hippopus) / LiveAquaria (Tridacnidae care data) / AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Hippopus hippopus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms: Chama hippopus Linnaeus, 1758, Hippopus maculatus Lamarck, 1801, Hippopus equinus Mörch, 1853
Authority databases: WoRMS
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
CITES Appendix IIIUCN VU · Vulnerable
Sources: CITES Appendix II (Tridacnidae spp. listed as a family) / IUCN Red List 2025-2 (assessed 2024, via SeaLifeBase)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Bear Paw Clam (Hippopus Hippopus) Listings
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