Hammer Oyster
NameHammer Oyster
Scientific NameMalleus malleus
Common NameHammer Oyster
FamilyMalleidae
GenusMalleus
Speciesmalleus
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific region, including areas from East Africa to the Western Pacific.
Habitatsubtidal
Average Size (mm)200
Identifying FeaturesThe most distinctive feature is its highly irregular, often T-shaped or hammer-shaped shell, with elongated hinge wings. It is a byssally attached bivalve and is almost always heavily encrusted.
Dietfilter-feeder
Raritycommon
Author Citation(Linnaeus, 1758)
Description
A marine bivalve mollusk, commonly known as the Hammer Oyster, characterized by its distinctive, often T-shaped or elongated, irregular shell. The specimen in the image appears heavily encrusted with various marine organisms, obscuring its underlying shell structure and color. It is typically found attached to hard substrates.
