A small giant clam (please forgive the inevitable oxymoron) firmly ensconced in its home within the very matrix of a living coral colonies. I've seen these coral-dwelling clams at many sites (in both areas of PNG that I've visited so far) and have no idea how they cope with gorwing larger within the coral's stony grip. The giant clam genus is Tridacna — mantle color varies a lot, and I can't tell this species from its congeners (though it may be T. crocea...my best guess for now). (May Reef, Kimbe Bay)
Another small giant clam buried within living coral. Like corals, giant clams host symbiotic zooxanthellae (algae) that harvest solar energy. (Mandarinfish Reef, Kimbe Bay)
A large giant clam forms the centerpiece to a pristine coral garden. (South Ema, Kimbe Bay)
This giant clam's coloration blends almost perfectly with that of the encrusted substrate that surrounds it on one of Kimbe Bay's spectacular reefs. (Kirsty Jayne's, Kimbe Bay)
A giant clam on top of the wall at a spectacular inshore drop-off site exposed to strong currents and surge. (Hole in the Wall, Northeast coast)
A tiger cowrie (Cypraea tigris) hiding out on the edge of a narrow sand channel in a shallow reef system. The tiger cowrie's shall may appear more leopard-like than tigerish, but the animal's striped mantle gave this mollusc its name.