Common Name: Akoya Pearl Oyster

Distribution: Common throughout the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region: from the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, to China, Korea and Japan and the Islands of the Western Pacific. In Australia recorded from around Geraldton in Western Australia, across the tropical north, through Queensland south to northern New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: Usually found adhering to rocky substrate or under rocks in shallow subtidal areas. Depth to at least 30 m.

Additional Notes: This species is farmed and seeded for the production of cultured pearls which are harvested after about 9 to 16 months. 

References: Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=pinctada+fucata. Accessed 09/11/2018.