Prickly Penshell
Pinna muricata
Also known as: Fan Shell, Great Silk Muscle, Oyster, Pacific Pen Shell, Pearl Oyster, Pen Shell, Sea Ham, Thorny Wing
- Fan Shell
- Great Silk Muscle
- Oyster
- Pacific Pen Shell
- Pearl Oyster
- Pen Shell
- Sea Ham
- Thorny Wing
Overview
Found on mixed, soft bottom substrates, partially buried in a vertical position, amongst eelgrass flats and sandy patches, of coral and rocky reefs. This is a triangular shell, with rows of small triangular spines. (look like skin tags)
Most Bivalves are permanently anchored in fissures or depressions in the rock surface of the reef, some may become covered in algae and other marine life.
Other Bivalves swim free, either by a well developed foot or propelled along by a jet of water from their mantle cavity.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Country only · 1
Found on mixed, soft bottom substrates, partially buried in a vertical position, amongst eelgrass flats and sandy patches, of coral and rocky reefs.
Adult photos 1
Discussion
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Deep dive
Taxonomy
- kingdomAnimalia
- phylumMollusca
- classBivalvia
- orderOstreida
- familyPinnidae
- genusPinna
- speciesPinna muricata Linnaeus, 1758
SourcesWoRMSSeaLifeBase
More in the family
Ostreida
