Sea bass Patella pellucida

Glowing like small gems, Patella pellucida sea saucers are small mollusks that live in the northern latitudes along the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Small groups of shells of amber color, decorated with blue neon stripes, can be seen near the thickets of seaweed at a depth of 30 meters.



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Miniature, growing up to 15 mm in length Patella pellucida is similar to an oval platter, along which glowing blue lines run dotted. In adults, these shiny stripes can be from two to eight, in young mollusks they appear only when their shells grow to at least 1 mm in length.



David Fenwick

Kelp and brown algae fucus, known as sea grapes, are the only food of Patella pellucida sea saucers. These bright mollusks always settle near extensive thickets of algae, choosing places with fast or moderate currents. The chances of seeing live Patella pellucida in calm or standing water are zero.



Starting at lunch, sea saucers begin to actively rub shells against bunches of fucus ilaminaria, burrowing inside. Gradually, dents and voids form, which destroy the integrity of the algae, and the current throws them ashore along with Patella pellucida.



Despite its fragile physique, this small clam has a fearless character. Its delicate meat is to the taste of starfish, but before reaching it, sea predators have to withstand the attack of a hard shell. Standing on a leg, a sea saucer scratches the tentacles of the star, forcing the predator to retreat.

Source: zoopicture.ru