While diving Magic Mushrooms a while ago as part of a PADI Advanced Open Water Course, we discovered a very strange looking clam,” said Will and Alex of Tokoriki Island Diving, Fishing & Excursions. They did not have a camera at that time so they missed out on the opportunity to take pictures of their rare find.
At the next diving opportunity, they took with them a camera and captured several shorts of the mystery clam. The pictures were sent to the Fiji Fisheries Department as part of their Operation’s regular Giant Clam Regeneration Project updates. A most exciting reply was received from Aisea Batibasaga, a senior officer from the Fisheries Department identifying the mystery clam as the very rare Tridacna terove commonly known as Devil Clam. This clam species is endemic to Fiji and was previously found only in Lau and the eastern part of the Fiji group.
With the Devil Clam being the first to be recorded in the West of Fiji, the Fisheries Department has its eye on the Tokoriki clam project. They are now interested in starting a breeding colony if they find more Devil clams in the area.
