Spondylus crassisquama

Known as also Spondylus princeps, the Spondylus crassisquama is a bivalve of the tropical and subtropical coasts of the eastern Pacific. It lives glued to the rocks, like the oysters, in 5-90 cm of depth, and being a good lamellibranch filters microorganisms and organic material in suspension. Like the Pecten jacobaeus, displays when ajar, tiny eyes and several tentacles with sensory functions. The shell, averagely of 13 cm, is very sought for by the collectors due to the attractive colour, with various hues and red and black combinations, and the unusual flat spatuliform spines © Giuseppe Mazza