Fascinating pen shell (Pinna bicolor) found in front of the Namenalala drop-off (00000237)

Description: The pen shell (Pinna bicolor) is a fascinating marine creature that has buried itself in the sandy substrate in front of the stunning drop-off of the Namenalala reef in Fiji. This drop-off plunges into the "nowhere" as the seabed drops 4000 meters deep. While I was familiar with the large pen shells from the Mediterranean, I was amazed to encounter a beautiful, heavily encrusted pen shell while diving in Fiji. However, the pen shells in the Fiji region are slightly smaller, with Pinna bicolor and Atrina vexillum being the predominant species. Another smaller pen shell found in the area is known as Pinna muricata.

Location: Vanua Levu, Namenalala, Fiji

Date of Capture: 25.08.1993