Invertebrates
Queen Scallop
Aequipecten opercularis · also called queenie
When a starfish creeps near a bed of queen scallops, the scallops clap their shells and jet away in a cloud of sand, a flurry of orange and pink.
Overview
The queen scallop, Aequipecten opercularis, is a small, colourful, fast-swimming scallop of sandy seabeds in the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Its colours, swimming skill, and importance as a food make it a favourite of both divers and seafood lovers.
The scallop that flies
Among the scallops, the queen is the most agile swimmer, using powerful bursts of shell-clapping to escape starfish and other slow hunters.
Status
Not Evaluated, but widespread.
Queen Scallop: common questions
What is a queenie?
It is the common name for the queen scallop, which is smaller and more colourful than the king scallop.
Can a queen scallop swim?
Yes, it is one of the most active swimming scallops, clapping its shells to jet through the water to escape predators.
How big is a queen scallop?
Its shell is usually 6 to 9 cm across, making it smaller than the king scallop.
Where is the queen scallop found?
It lives on sandy and gravel seabeds of the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, from Norway to West Africa.