We investigated the oxygen and acid–base status of the noble scallop Mimachlamys nobilis during air exposure for 24 h. The hemolymph of noble scallop was collected from the adductor muscle, and O_2 partial pressure (Po_2), pH, CO_2 partial pressure (Pco_2), and bicarbonate ion concentration ([HCO_3^–]) were examined during air exposure. Hemolymph Po_2 decreased from 69.5 torr (mean value) to 46.3 torr during air exposure for 6 h, and reached to 19.0 torr after 24 h. The hemolymph Po_2 of air-exposed noble scallops decreased gradually and caused progressive hypoxemia by hypoventilation of the ctenidium. Air-exposed noble scallops showed a reduction in pH and elevation of Pco_2 and [HCO_3^–] of the hemolymph. In air-exposed noble scallops, the hemolymph pH decreased from 7.460 to 7.045 at 6 h and to 6.348 at 24 h. The hemolymph Pco_2 increased from 1.30 torr to 5.05 torr at 6 h and to 56.6 torr at 24 h during air exposure. The [HCO_3^–] increased from 1.26 mM/L to 1.88 mM/L at 6 h and to 4.19 mM/L at 24 h. N32From these results, in the first 6 h of air exposure, noble scallops mainly underwent respiratory acidosis by excess accumulation of CO_2 due to hypoventilation. Meanwhile, after 24 h of air exposure, noble scallops showed mainly metabolic acidosis partially compensated by mobilized [HCO_3^–] from the shell.