Electric Flame Scallop
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1405
Printed Date: September 16 2025 at 12:58pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Electric Flame Scallop
Posted By: Kull
Subject: Electric Flame Scallop
Date Posted: December 04 2003 at 2:08pm
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I have recently acquired one of my favorite specimens to view. That would be as the topic indicates an electric flame scallop. I love how the way that it looks in my tank, it adds a huge splash of color. I was wondering though. I have heard a few different things about the electric wave that passes over the lip membrane. Is it electricity or not? Some people have told me that it is, and other say that it isn't, but no one has been able to support the argument either way. It doesn't appear to shock food, it is a filter feeder, so I tend to favor the side that says it is not true electricity. Any information on the subject would be appreciated |
Replies:
Posted By: tfowers
Date Posted: December 04 2003 at 2:14pm
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It's biolumence(glowing cells), if it were eletricity that would be PLASMA you're seeing. They're awesome - too bad flame scallops never seem to live in capivity.
Tim |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: December 04 2003 at 2:16pm
| I've read somewhere that there is really no electricity, that it is one of the membranes/apendages moving rapidly over what ever is underneath, causing it to look like electricity. Maybe someone on here can point you in the direction of a link to this info. |
Posted By: Carl
Date Posted: December 05 2003 at 8:43am
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I have had a couple of flame scallops for about 8 months or so. They have been very happy, they told me so. The general lifespan in captivity is 6-10 months which is far shorter than their 3-4 years in the wild. I am trying to break the pattern, so check back with me in a couple of years. For one of the few useful articles that I have found regarding these animals, check out http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2002/toonen.htm - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2002/toonen.htm ------------- In Syracuse "I believe that forgiving them is God's function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting." - Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf |
Posted By: Kull
Date Posted: December 05 2003 at 9:06am
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If they only live 6-10 months, I'm glad that I got it for under $10.00 The articles I read I guess refered to the life span in the wild. This brings up another question. When it dies (which I can not it will) is it going to pollute my tank? (Other the normal dead animal in the tank messing stuff up sort of way.)
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Posted By: DutchDude
Date Posted: December 05 2003 at 12:01pm
When it dies and like all things, it eventually will  it will provide wonderful food for both fish and crabs  It really should not be that big of a problem if you have a decent size tank, something like a 55 gallon or more. If you have a 20 gallon tank, and no critters, then I would consider removing it when it dies.
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Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: December 06 2003 at 12:10pm
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Scallops, like other bivalves typically do not get enough food in our relatively clean aquariums. Feed it lots of phytoplankton and other suspended invert foods like Black Powder, Marine Snow or "Adams Fish Food" pulverized, and it will do much better, longer. Target feeding is somewhat useful but we typically cannot target feed them 10 times per day.
If I am correct, and most of the time I am   , the luminescence is a biochemical electrostatic reaction that does involve electricity just like our body's nervous system is a biochemical eletrostatic process. It's just really, really, low values of electricity. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: December 09 2003 at 10:11pm
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It looks like Crazy Tarzan read the correct facts, though I also do not know where to find the research, but evidently someone did some microscopic observation and determined that it is a narrow membrane being moved quickly to expose the bright blue color underneath! ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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