A crime has been committed and Shelldon's father, Papa has been fingered as the perpetrator. Smelling something terribly fishy, Shelldon and friends decide to carry out some sleuthing of their own in an attempt to clear Papa's name.
Springtime in Shell Land is especially hot this year. The rise in underwater temperatures brought about by Global Warming causes tempers to flare within Shelldon's community. It brings about a rampant algal bloom dubbed the Red Tide - a bulbous monstrosity of ever-spawning red algae.
A pair of well-dressed guests visits the Charming Clam Inn. Unappreciative, and always bargaining for freebies, they turn out to be the worst customers ever. They also happen to be Connie's parents.
When a baby shark's mother falls prey to brutal shark's fin poachers, her newborn shark pup is left to fend for itself. Witnessing this, Shelldon and Herman take pity on the poor orphaned pup and decide to take him in.
Connie is determined to prove to her peers that she is beautiful or at least qualify for the Shell Land beauty pageant. She seeks the advice of Mrs. Prim, who takes Connie under her wings.
Mrs. Prim is eager to catch a grand opera that is coming to town, but is unable to get hold of tickets. She is put off by Crabby who expresses his disdain for opera.
Shelldon and Herman make their first parent less excursion into the big city with Connie as their chaperon, but when loses all their money to a street grifter squid, all three devise quick money-making schemes so they can return home.
Shelldon and Nikki Nautilus compete against Cecil Cracken's team in a sand sled race. Preparing for the race, Shelldon learns a lot about Cracken's early history, and why he's become such an old meanie.
Herman convinces Shelldon to give-up his shell for a flashy new substitute, all in the name of fashion. But when his new gismo of a shell breaks apart, casting him into trouble and humiliation.