Pacific Calico Scallop

Argopecten ventricosus

Pacific Calico Scallop

This scallop favours shallow bays, quiet sloughs and eelgrass beds, where it can flee by clapping its valves and shooting through the water in a flying motion. Young calico scallops tether themselves to the bottom with fine byssal threads. Once the basis of a busy early twentieth century fishery, it was heavily overharvested and harmless to handle.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Mollusca › Bivalvia › Pectinida › Pectinidae › Argopecten

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 394270.

FAQ

How deep does the Pacific Calico Scallop live?
The Pacific Calico Scallop (Argopecten ventricosus) is typically found at 0–180 m.
Is the Pacific Calico Scallop dangerous to divers?
The Pacific Calico Scallop is harmless to divers.
How big does the Pacific Calico Scallop get?
The Pacific Calico Scallop grows to about 10 cm.