Shellfish quick guide
Bivalves
Shellfish quick guide
Gastropods
Bivalves
Gastropods
Nut shell
Mud Whelk
Nut shell
Mud Whelk
Cockle Tuangi
Harbour Top shell
Whetiko
Cockle Tuangi
Harbour Top shell
Whetiko
Trough shell
Ruheruhe
Horn shell Koeti
Trough shell
Ruheruhe
Horn shell Koeti
Pipi Pipi
Mud snail
Karahu / Titiko/
Pupu
Pipi Pipi
Mud snail
Karahu / Titiko/
Pupu
Small and round like a
cherry stone. Smooth.
Light brown.
Has a criss-cross pattern of ridges like a file.
Usually bigger than a
cockle or pipi with a thinner shell. Fine growth lines
(not criss-crossing).
Has an elongated
shape. Smooth.
Bullet shaped with small
knobbly lumps along the
ridges
Has a spiral on the top,
yellow rimmed opening
underneath.
Horn shaped corkscrew
shell.
Small and round like a
cherry stone. Smooth.
Light brown.
Has a criss-cross pattern of ridges like a file.
Usually bigger than a
cockle or pipi with a thinner shell. Fine growth lines
(not criss-crossing).
Has an elongated
shape. Smooth.
Southern olive
shell Tikoaka
Wedge shell
Hanikura
Has one rounded and one
pointed end. Pointed end
is bent over to one side.
Note: These pictures are not to scale. See the ID
Guide Booklet for further description including size
and biology, and for pictures of other sea life you
may encounter.
Bullet shaped with small
knobbly lumps along the
ridges
Has a spiral on the top,
yellow rimmed opening
underneath.
Horn shaped corkscrew
shell.
Southern olive
shell Tikoaka
Wedge shell
Hanikura
Oyster borer
Kaikai tio
Has one rounded and one
pointed end. Pointed end
is bent over to one side.
Note: These pictures are not to scale. See the ID
Guide Booklet for further description including size
and biology, and for pictures of other sea life you
may encounter.
Oyster borer
Kaikai tio