Home > Invertebrates > Bivalves > Pinctada galtsoffi

Updated 7/28/2019

Family Pteriidae

HAWAII

Pinctada galtsoffi 

Blowhole, Oahu, 30 feet

 

Lanai Lookout, Oahu, 30 feet

Sharks Cove, Oahu, 25 feet

 

 

Juvenile, Kewalo, Oahu, 80 feet

 

Kewalo Hump, Oahu, 90 feet

 

Pokai Bay, Oahu, 15 feet

Mahi Wreck, Oahu, 80 feet

 



Sand Island, Oahu, 12 feet

HAWAIIAN PEARL OYSTER

Uncommon at any depth basally attached to the substrate.  Easily identified by ragged margins.  Attains diameter of at least 12 inches.  Formerly abundant and harvested to near-extinction at Pearl Harbor and Pearl & Hermes Reef.  It is illegal to collect this species.  Endemic to Hawai'i.  Previously lumped within the Indo-West Pacific species Pinctada margaritifera.