As I was nearing the end of a dive and heading up towards shallow water, I noticed the large siphon of a Pacific gaper (Tresus nuttalli) jutting out of the sand. The end of the siphon and tentacles of this clam are peach or tan in colour. Large thick pads near the siphon openings help to identify the Pacific gaper, and this is where algae can often take hold and grow. This large clam can bury itself up to 3.2 feet (1 m) deep in sandy areas. The Pacific gaper has shells/valves that can grow to 8.8 inches (22.5 cm) in length, with a range from southern Alaska to northern Mexico.
References:
Fretwell, Kelly and Starzomski, Brian. “Pacific Gaper, Tresus nuttalli” Biodiversity of the Central Coast, University of Victoria, 2014, https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/pacific-gaper-bull-tresus-nuttallii.html
Jensen, Gregory with Gotshall, Daniel and Flores-Miller, Rebecca. Beneath Pacific Tides: Subtidal Invertebrates of the West Coast. Bremerton: MolaMarine, 2018.
