Scallops are filter feeders, and eat plankton. Unlike many other bivalves, they lack siphons. Water moves over a filtering structure, where food particles become trapped in mucus.

What animals do scallops eat?

Scallops eat by filtering small organisms such as krill, algae, and larvae from the water they inhabit. As water enters the scallop, mucus traps plankton in the water, and then cilia move the food into the scallop's mouth.

Why are scallops so bad?

Scallops labeled as "dry pack" are untreated but have a shorter shelf life. Both sea and bay scallops are susceptible to toxic algae and contaminants. With farmed scallops, though, harvesting is prohibited when the level of contaminants in the water reaches a dangerous level.