Scallops feed on plant and animal plankton.
The normal habitat is a hard sea bottom at depths of 15-80 m and they are most abundant in fairly strong nutrient rich currents. Scallops grow rather slowly and mainly in the spring and summer months. Ten year old scallops measure 6.5-8.5 cm in height. The Iceland scallop is caught by dredging along the sea bed at a depth of 20-70 m. The season extends from late July and throughout winter with the best fishing in the autumn months.