Saccostrea cucullata (Born, 1778)

First described by the Czech mineralogist, metallurgist, and malacologist Ignaz von Born in 1778, Saccostrea cucullata , commonly called the Natal rock oyster, is mainly seen in the Indo-pacific oceans.

Adults mostly dioecious, but hermaphrodites produced in unfavourable conditions. Spawning occurs throughout the year in India except during the monsoons or between July to September. Fertilisation external.

Length: 4 to 6 cm, sometimes double the size.

Shell hard, plaited and trigonal or oblong; lower valve thick, overlapping at margin and hooded under the margin; upper valve flat or slightly convex in middle, may either be smooth or show wide spiny ribs; margins of both valves denticulated; outer surface of valves purplish-brown, inner surface white rimmed with black; muscle scar oblong and striated.

Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas.

A filter feeder.

Host to the parasite Ostrincola breviseti Ho & I.H. Kim, 1990; and ectoparasites Ostrincola breviseti Ho & I.H. Kim, 1990, Ostrincola koe Tanaka, 1961, and Ostrincola humesi Ho & Yoosukh, 1994. Sometimes seen growing attached to the surface of the Mangrove Whelk Mollusc, Terebralia palustris, in mangroves. Preyed upon by the Black oyster borer (Morula marginalba).

Marine: Brackish waters, mouths of estuaries, rocks of open coasts. Often growing among seaweed, strongly attached to coral stones, sandstone, or granite boulders. Usually in intertidal regions at depths of 15 m.

Not evaluated by IUCN redlist.

Listed in CITES: No. Listed in Wildlife (Protection) Act: No

With delicately flavoured meat, this species is highly valued for human consumption and sold either as is or after they've been shucked.