Eastern Pearlshell
Pinctada margaritifera
- Group: Other
- Typical depth: 0–40 m
- Max size: 9.8 cm
This is the black lip pearl oyster, the shell that yields the dark Tahitian pearl. It anchors itself to coral rubble and rock in shallow lagoons down to about 40 metres, filtering phytoplankton from the water, and is sometimes found loose on sand or among seagrass and mangroves.
Taxonomy: Animalia › Mollusca › Bivalvia › Ostreida › Margaritidae › Pinctada
Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 207899.
FAQ
- How deep does the Eastern Pearlshell live?
- The Eastern Pearlshell (Pinctada margaritifera) is typically found at 0–40 m.
- How big does the Eastern Pearlshell get?
- The Eastern Pearlshell grows to about 9.8 cm.