Image of silver abalone

Description:

The common epithet for this varies depending on your location. In Nelson eg. this is a silver Paua and queen paua is reserved for our tiniest sp H. virginea. Easily recognised by coarse ripples across the shell and its silvery coloured nacre which quickly deteriorates to limey white if exposed on the beach for a tiime. Does not have the strong irridescent greens, blues and reds evident in H iris, they are considerably subdued in this sp. Outer shell often hosts barnacles.