Bay Scallop
Argopecten irradians
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
The scallop of Florida's seagrass bays, rounder and often darker than the calico, with bright blue eyes when alive.
- Typical size
- 1.5–3 in
- How often it turns up
- Common in the Big Bend
- Collecting
- Check local rules
- Handling
- Safe to handle
Empty shells are fine. Taking live bay scallops requires an open season, a licence, and compliance with FWC zone rules.
How to tell it apart
- Nearly equal, deeply ribbed valves
- Grey, brown or near-black upper valve
- Lives in shallow grass rather than offshore
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for shells. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Anclote Key Preserve State Park · Tarpon Springs
- Bean Point · Anna Maria
- Beer Can Island (Greer Island) · Longboat Key
- Boca Grande Public Beach · Boca Grande
- Bowman's Beach · Sanibel
- Captiva Beach · Captiva
- Cayo Costa State Park · Cayo Costa
- Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park · Naples
- Don Pedro Island State Park · Cape Haze
- Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park · St. George Island
- Gasparilla Island State Park · Boca Grande
- Gulfside City Park (Algiers Beach) · Sanibel
Found one?
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More shells in the field guide
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