Angelwing

Cyrtopleura costata

The Angelwing is a beautiful shell that looks like an angel's wing! It lives in the ocean and is often found on sandy beaches. Its unique shape makes it a favorite for collectors.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Angelwing has a thin, delicate, pure white shell shaped like a bird's wing. Its elongated, fan-like appearance and prominent radiating ribs make it distinctive among bivalves, often with serrated edges.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassBivalviaOrderMyidaFamilyPholadidaeGenusCyrtopleura

Photo: MerlinCharonCC0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Angelwing

Interesting facts

Did you know Angelwings can live for over 10 years deep in the sand?

Sometimes, two Angelwing shells are found still hinged together!

Their shells have tiny spikes that help them grip the sand!

Wow, this clam can burrow faster than you can dig a hole!

Special abilities

Angelwing can rapidly burrow into sand using its muscular foot, helping it hide from predators.

Angelwing has a fragile but strong shell that protects its soft body from damage and predators.

Angelwing can filter tiny food particles from the water using its specialized siphons, helping it get nutrients.

Measurements & details

Length: 10 cm
Size: 0.5 mm
Maximum Depth: 1 m

Diet & Feeding

This amazing clam filters tiny bits of food from ocean water.

Primary Foods

phytoplankton
zooplankton
detritus

Foraging Method

Filter feeding

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Common Oyster Drill

Urosalpinx cinerea

Snails drill into shells to eat the clam.

Eaten by

Blue Crab

Callinectes sapidus

Crabs can crush shells to eat the soft clam inside.

Depends on

Turtle Grass

Thalassia testudinum

Lives in sediments stabilized by seagrass roots.

Traits

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Curiosities

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be careful when picking up shells; some can be sharp or have small creatures inside.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Angelwing?

Compare the overall shape, opening, spiral, ribs, hinge and surface sculpture. Beach shells often lose the colors and sharp edges they had on the living animal, so shape does most of the work. Seashell Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Angelwing?

10 cm

How big is Angelwing?

0.5 mm

What does Angelwing eat?

This amazing clam filters tiny bits of food from ocean water.

Where is Angelwing usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Angelwing hunt?

Filter feeding

How deep can Angelwing go?

1 m