We examined sediment selection by juvenile sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) and their predators, sea stars (Asterias vulgaris) and rock crabs (Cancer irroratus). In laboratory trials, groups of scallops (~30 mm shell height) were simultaneously offered four sediment types in the presence and absence of a sea star or a rock crab: (1) glass representing a homogeneous, hard bottom; (2) sand; (3) granule and (4) pebble. As well, individual predators were offered the four sediment types without scallops. The number of scallops and the proportion of time predators spent on each sediment type were monitored over time. When compared with the expected distribution, scallops avoided glass and tended to select granule and pebble sediments when alone. In the presence of a rock crab, scallops also avoided glass. However, scallop distribution was similar to the expected distribution when a sea star was present, because sea star encounters are an important trigger of scallop swimming, leading to frequent redistribution of scallops. Sea stars spent less time than expected on glass, whereas crabs spent more time than expected on sand. For both predators, distribution did not change significantly in the presence or absence of scallops. In sum, scallop distribution appears more dependent on predator distribution than the reverse. Predation of scallops by sea stars and rock crabs was not influenced by sediment type. Our results have implications for the bottom culture of scallops. Because scallops select heterogeneous sediments over homogeneous ones, dispersal of scallops may be important on unsuitable sediments. Also, dispersal may be higher when sea stars are present at an aquaculture site.