When they are offloading the scallop boats, I
>find lots of single valves (one to two inch) of Aequipecten muscosus in an
>amazing assortment of colors: lemon yellow, dayglow orange, plum, rose and
>scarlet red.
So, has anyone out there ever find one "in the wild?" There were several at
>the shell shops but none had much information except something like "found
>2 miles south of Sanibel in 50 ft. of water."
 
I have collected Aequipecten muscosus live off the Sarasota/Bradenton area.
They attach to the reef with a byssus and are usually solitary (though I
did get two on one dive). The ones I've collected have been on reefs about
50-60 feet deep. I've only gotten about five live ones all told. Similar
habitat to Nodipecten fragosus (used to be called nodosus). Hard to spot,
too, with sponge on them camouflaging.
 
Peggy Williams
 
                     http://www.mindspring.com/~shellelegant
                                  Peggy Williams
                                   Shell Elegant Tours
                 PO Box 575     *     Tallevast FL 34270
          (941) 355-2291  *   [log in to unmask]