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Home > Invertebrates
> Shells > Limpets
Updated 3/29/2026
Family
Nacellidae
Limpets
| Limpets have umbrella-like shells and graze upon algae on rocky
shores. Four endemic species in Hawaii. Highly prized for food
and quite rare due to harvesting. Recently separated from the
Family Patellidae. |
HAWAII - ENDEMIC
Cellana sandwicensis 
HAWAIIAN LIMPET
'OPIHI 'ALINALINA
|
Cellana
exarata
DARK-FOOT LIMPET
'OPIHI MAKA-IA-ULI |
| Cellana
talcosa
TALC
LIMPET 'OPIHI KO'ELE
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|
Family
Lottiidae
NORTHEAST PACIFIC
| Lottia
scutum
PLATE LIMPET
|
Lottia pelta
SHIELD LIMPET |
Lottia sp.
LIMPET
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Family
Fissurellidae
Keyhole
Limpets
| Most keyhole limpets have a perforated apex or marginal notch for waste products to exit and
the mantle more or less envelops the shell, giving it a slug-like
appearance in life. The family is especially prolific in cool
seas. |
HAWAII - ENDEMIC
| Tugali
oblonga
OBLONG KEYHOLE LIMPET
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INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII
| Diodora
cruciata
CROSS KEYHOLE LIMPET
|
Diodora
rueppellii
RUPPELL'S KEYHOLE LIMPET
|
| Diodora
octagona
OCTAGON KEYHOLE LIMPET
|
Diodora
granifera
GRAINY KEYHOLE LIMPET
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CALIFORNIA
| Megathura crenulata
GIANT KEYHOLE LIMPET
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Family Hipponicidae
Hoof Shells
| Small limpet-shaped snails that secrete a shelly plate on hard
substrate, either rock or gastropod snails. Common but overlooked due to their small size. |
HAWAII - ENDEMIC
| Antisabia imbricata
TILED HOOF SHELL
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CIRCUMTROPICAL / HAWAII
| Cheilea
equestris
FALSE CUP-AND-SAUCER
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INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII
| Antisabia
foliacea
LEAFY HOOF SHELL
|
Pilosabia trigona
BEARDED HOOF SHELL
|
|
Sabia
australis
SOUTHERN HOOF SHELL
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Family
Calyptraeidae
Slipper Shells
| Limpet-like shells with an internal shelf.
They capture drifting bits of organic matter using mucus threads.
Both Hawaii species arrived on the bottom of ships and are found within
harbors, attached to manmade objects or rubble. |
CIRCUMGLOBAL / HAWAII
|
Bostrycapulus aculeatus
SPINY SLIPPER LIMPET
|
Crucibulum spinosum
SPINY CUP-AND-SAUCER |
Family
Siphonariidae
False Limpets
| Small limpet-like shells with a subtle gap or sinus on the right
side. They lack gills and breathe air, remaining above sea level. |
HAWAII - ENDEMIC
| Siphonaria
nuttallii
FALSE 'OPIHI
|
|
INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII
|
Williamia radiata
RAYED SIPHON SHELL
|
|
Family Haliotidae
Abalone
| Abalone have bowl- or ear-like shells with a row of pores. The
interior is lined with mother-of-pearl. Large species have been
depleted in many parts of their natural range due to fishing. A
few species are being raised in captivity for sale or stock
enhancement. None occur in Hawaii. |
NORTH PACIFIC
| Haliotis kamshatkana
PINTO or NORTHERN ABALONE
|
|
JAPAN
| Haliotis
discus
DISK ABALONE Kuro-awabi
|
Haliotis
diversicolor
FALSE ABALONE Tokobushi-awabi
|
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