Pteria colymbus

Atlantic wing-oyster
Pteria colymbus
(Röding, 1798)

Description:
This bivalve shell is attached to the substrate. The upper shell is brownish, often mottled. On the upper surface are irregular ribs, concentric growth rings and scaly spines.
Size: up to 6 cm.

Habitat:
The animal attaches itself to gorgonians, and is well camouflaged, also, it can be overgrown with other organisms.
Depth: ranges from 3 m down to 3 m.

Distribution:
Occasional all over the Caribbean.

Remarks:
In most countries it is illegal to bring back these shells from holidays.

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