Prickly Pen Shell

Pinna muricata

Prickly Pen Shell

This pen shell stands buried point down in soft sediment, often seagrass beds, with only the gaping top of its shell showing. The shell carries small spines along its surface, and coastal people sometimes gather it for food in the shallows down to about 40 metres.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Mollusca › Bivalvia › Ostreida › Pinnidae › Pinna

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 207895.

FAQ

How deep does the Prickly Pen Shell live?
The Prickly Pen Shell (Pinna muricata) is typically found at 0–40 m.
How big does the Prickly Pen Shell get?
The Prickly Pen Shell grows to about 31 cm.