Silver Abalone

About 0.5m deep.

First live paua I've seenrecognised in the water, about 0.5m deep, 2 hours after low tide. The second photo is trying to show a close up of epipodia tentacles coming out the breathing holes. (Turns out that I'd already photographed a live one, just didn't know it: http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/1238237)

First live paua I've seenrecognised in the water, about 0.5m deep, 2 hours after low tide. The second photo is trying to show a close up of epipodia tentacles coming out the breathing holes. (Turns out that I'd already photographed a live one, just didn't know it: http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/1238237)

First live paua I've seenrecognised in the water, about 0.5m deep, 2 hours after low tide. The second photo is trying to show a close up of epipodia tentacles coming out the breathing holes. (Turns out that I'd already photographed a live one, just didn't know it: http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/1238237)

Found washed up on the beach. The lower specimen seems to have some kind of unusual damage/growth on the inside of the shell.

I got the idea for this from http://www.nzshells.net.nz/gastropoda.htm Washed up on the beach.

I got the idea for this from http://www.nzshells.net.nz/gastropoda.htm Washed up on the beach.

I got the idea for this from http://www.nzshells.net.nz/gastropoda.htm Washed up on the beach.

Washed up on the beach.

Washed up on the beach.

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.

Washed up at the high tide mark.

Washed up at the high tide mark.