This is a standout juvenile specimen of Spondylus americanus from Pulley Ridge in the Dry Tortugas.
Personally collected by me, Randy Rivera, aboard the F/V Ava Pilar while working deep-water lobster traps in 200–240 ft. Pieces like this come straight from the fishery—no middlemen, no sourcing—just authentic, firsthand collection.
This juvenile example displays excellent spine development for its size, with long, preserved spines and a vibrant orange interior. Juvenile specimens with this level of spine retention are especially attractive and less commonly encountered in this condition.
Specimen Data
- Species: Spondylus americanus (Hermann, 1781)
- Family: Spondylidae
- Location: Pulley Ridge, Dry Tortugas, Florida
- Depth: 200–240 ft
- Method: Baited lobster trap
- Date Collected: March 2026
- Collector: Randy Rivera (personally collected) – F/V Ava Pilar
- Size: 24.8 mm (H) × 19.9 mm (W)
Condition
Very good condition for a juvenile specimen.
Spines are well preserved with minimal breakage compared to typical trap-collected examples.
Minor wear present consistent with collection method.
Shipping
Ships safe and secure with careful packaging to protect delicate spines.
Tortugas Shell Collection
All specimens are personally collected by me and fully documented with precise locality and depth data.
Direct from the Dry Tortugas fishery to your collection.