Southeast Asia Mollusca Identification page is created to make identification of common species found in South East Asia easy. The list below are the molluscs found in Malaysia. The list also include name in languages and dialect used in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.
Species Group: Freshwater Molluscs (ISSCAAP 51)
Common Name: Marsh Clam, Mangrove Clam, Broad Geloina Scientific Name:Polymesoda expansa Mousson, 1849 Family: Cyrenidae, Corbiculidae Mandarin Name: China - 歪红树蚬 (Wāi hóng shù xiǎn) Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยกัน (H̄oy kạn) Local Malay Name: Lokan Remarks: All other Malaysia and Indonesia local language also call it Lokan
Species Group: Abalones, Winkles, Conchs (ISSCAAP 52)
Common Name: Spiral Melongena, Melon Conch Scientific Name:Volegalea cochlidium (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Melongenidae Mandarin Name: 棕香螺 (Zōng xiāng luó) Local Malay Name: Siput Unam Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยสังข์ปุ่มเกลียวเวียน (H̄oy s̄ạngk̄h̒ pùm kelīyw weīyn) Main Identification Features: Shell relatively large (up to 15 cm long), solid and heavy, broadly fusiform in outline. Spire conical and tall, with angulate shoulders and incised sultures. Suture not spinose. Outer lip of aperture angulate at shoulder. Siphonal canal moderately long. Habitat and Ecology: Inhabits intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, in muddy areas, often in brackish waters, near estuaries and mangroves. Feeds on barnacles and bivalves.
Common Name: Rarespined Murex Scientific Name:Murex trapa Röding, 1798 Family: Muricidae Mandarin Name: 宝岛骨螺 (Bǎo dǎo gǔ luó), 刺螺 (Cì luó) Local Malay Name: Siput Duri, Siput Gasi Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยสังข์หนามเล็ก (H̄oy s̄ạngk̄h̒ h̄nām lĕk) Local Hokkien: Chi Lay
Common Name: Chameleon Nerite, Textile Nerite Scientific Name:Nerita chamaeleon Linnaeus, 1758 Family: Neritidae Mandarin Name: 大圆蜑螺 (Dàyuán dànluó), 矮狮蜑螺 (Ǎishī dànluó) Local Malay Name: Siput Timba Batik, Tekuyung Timba Batik, Sihik Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยน้าพริก (H̄oy n̂ảphrik) Main Identification Features: Shell thick, globose, with a low spire. Outer surface with numerous, moderately rough spiral cords. Semi-circular calcified operculum. Variable in outer colour pattern. Often misidentified as Nerita histrio. N. chamaeleon have higher spire, smoother ribs, more-distinct teeth in the outer lip and the consistently smoother and more regularly rounded outline of the peristome. Habitat and Ecology: Inhabits intertidal rocky shores, intertidal flats and sandy substrates. Herbivorous, feeding mainly on algae.
Common Name: Planaxis Snail, Tropical Periwinkle, Furrowed Clusterwink, False Winkle Scientific Name:Planaxis sulcatus (Born, 1778) Family: Planaxidae Mandarin Name: 芝麻螺 (Zhīma luó) Local Malay Name: Siput Laut Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยเปลือกหนาธรรมดา (H̄oy pelụ̄xk h̄nā ṭhrrmdā) Main Identification Features: Shell conic-ovate, greenish brown-black with white spotted patterns. Anterior siphonal canal of the aperture distinct. Inner lip and lining the ovate aperture dark purple. Head and foot is yellowish-green with black horizontal stripes. Foot short and the sole is white to dirty white in colour. Habitat and Ecology: Commonly found in the rocky upper and middle zones of intertidal environments throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Herbivorous, feeding primarily on microalgae.
Common Name: Red Chut-chut Snail, Red Eye Snail. Obtuse Horn Shell, Mud Creeper Scientific Name:Cerithidea obtusa (Lamarck, 1822) Family: Potamididae Mandarin Name: 吸螺 (Xī luó), 午夜香吻 (Wǔyè xiāng wěn) Local Malay Name: Siput Sedut, Siput Mata Merah, Belitong, Keong Matah Merah (Indonesia) Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยจุ๊บแจง (H̄oy cúbcæng) Local Hokkien: Balitong, Chut-chut Main Identification Features: Shell opening wide usually with a thick flaring lip. Red markings on body and foot. Other similar species are Cerithidea quadrata (Black chut-chut) and Terebralia sulcata (Supposedly the real Belitong). Cerithidea quadrata have more elongated shell, thin lip, and without red markings on body and around foot. Terebralia sulcata have a distinctive shell opening at the tip called the peristome and a more conical shell.
Common Name: Dog Conch, Yellow Conch, Pearl Conch Scientific Name:Strombus canarium (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Strombidae Mandarin Name: 贡贡 (Gòng gòng), 水晶凤凰螺 (Shuǐ jīng fèng huáng luó) Local Malay Name: Siput Gong-gong, Siput Tarik Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยชักตีน (H̄oy chạk tīn) Local Hokkien: Gong Gong
Common Name: Toothed Top Shell Snail, Lipped Periwinkle Scientific Name:Monodonta labio (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Trochidae Mandarin Name: 单齿螺 (Dān chǐ luó), 草席钟螺 (Cǎo xí zhōng luó) Local Malay Name: Siput Timba Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยนมสาว (H̄oy nong s̄āw), หอยก้นแหลม (H̄xy kun h̄ælm) Main Identification Features: Shell thick heavy, an asymmetrical cone with spirals of rounded bumps. Umbilicus sealed with a callus. Colour usually grey or greenish grey. A tooth in its shell opening. Inner edge of the outer lip shows a number of smaller knobs. Foot fringed with long tentacles. Habitat and Ecology: Found on or under rocks and coral in the lower intertidal zone. A herbivorous snail, grazing on microalgae.
Common Name: Maculated Top, Spotted Top Shell Snail Scientific Name:Trochus maculatus Linnaeus, 1758 Family: Trochidae Mandarin Name: 花斑钟螺 (Huā bān zhōng luó) Local Malay Name: Siput Tudung Saji, Olak Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยนมสาว (H̄oy nong s̄āw) Main Identification Features: Base of shell flat, with many low and finely beaded spiral threads. Umbilicus is present, spirally corded. Columella with 4 to 5 low spiral cords, giving its margin a multi-dentate aspect. Habitat and Ecology: Found on or in crevices of rocks and coral in the intertidal zone. Feeds on macrophytes, algae and benthic diatoms.
Common Name: Duplicate Turret, Duplicate Screw Shell Scientific Name:Turritella duplicata (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Turritellidae Mandarin Name: 佛塔锥螺 (Fó tǎ zhuī luó), 长螺 (Cháng luó) Local Malay Name: Siput Kon, Siput Skru, Siput Germit, Tuntul Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยเจดีย์ (H̄oy cedi), หอยมวนพลู (H̄oy mun phlūū) Local Hokkien: Teng Lo Main Identification Features: Shell elongate, sharply conical, with numerous whorls and rounded aperture. Sides of the whorls sharply keeled. Siphonal canal absent.
Common Name: Noble Volute Scientific Name:Cymbiola nobilis (Lightfoot, 1786) Family: Volutidae Local Malay Name: Siput Batik Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยจุกพราหมณ์ (H̄oy cukphrāh̄m) Main Identification Features: Thick heavy shell, with orange, yellow, beige or black background, and with red or brown zig-zag patterns. Spire conical and prominent. Fleshy body of the snail is black with bright yellow or orange spots.
Species Group: Oysters (ISSCAAP 53)
Common Name: White Hammer Oyster Scientific Name:Malleus albus Lamarck, 1819 Family: Malleidae Mandarin Name: 白丁蛎 (Bái dīng lì), 槌头蚝 (Chuí tóu háo) Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยขวำน (H̄oy k̄hwản)
Common Name: Tropical Oyster, Mangrove Oyster, Cupped Oyster Scientific Name:Crassostrea belcheri (G. B. Sowerby II, 1871) Family: Ostreidae Local Malay Name: Tiram Kapak, Tiram Tropika Mandarin Name: 蚝 (Háo), 牡蛎 (Mǔ lì) Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยตะโกรมกรามขาว (H̄oy takorm krām k̄hāw) Main Identification Features: Shells large and thick with smooth and white internal surfaces; with concentric growth rings but without noticeable ribs. Right (upper) valve flat and smaller than left (lower) valve. Left (lower) valves are thicker convex beneath the hinge area. Adductor muscle scar white, half-moon shaped, dorsally placed. Inner mantle slightly brownish. Mantle fold black. Habitat and Ecology: Found in the intertidal zone, usually attached to the aerial roots of mangroves.
Species Group: Mussels (ISSCAAP 54)
Common Name: Asian Brown Mussel, Green Mussel Scientific Name:Perna viridis Linnaeus, 1758 Family: Mytilidae Mandarin Name: 翡翠贻贝 (Fěicuì yí bèi), 绿壳菜蛤 (Lǜ qiào cài há), 青口贝 (Qīng kǒu bèi) Local Malay Name: Siput Sudu, Kupang Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยแมลงภู่ (H̄oy mælangp̣hū̀)
Species Group: Scallops, Pectens (ISSCAAP 55)
Common Name: Asian Moon Scallop Scientific Name:Amusium pleuronectes (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Pectinidae Mandarin Name: 扇贝 (Shànbèi), 元贝 (Yuán bèi), 干贝 (Gānbèi), 江珧柱 (Jiāngyáozhù), 带子 (Dàizi), 亚洲日月蛤 (Yàzhōu rì yuè há), 明目鱼 (Míng mù yú) Local Malay Name: Siput Piring, Kekapis, Kapis Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยเชลล์ (H̄oy chell), หอยพัด (H̄oy phạd) Local Hokkien: Kang Gia Chu
Common Name: Flag Pen Shell, Indo-Pacific Pen Shell Scientific Name:Atrina vexillum (Born, 1778) Family: Pinnidae Mandarin Name: 黑旗江珧蛤 (Hēi qí jiāng yáo há), 海鸟 (Hǎi niǎo) Local Malay Name: Siput Kemudi, Siput Kipas, Siput Beliung, Siput Baji, Peha Ayam Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยจอบ (H̄oy cob), หอยซองพลู (H̄oy song phlū) Local Hokkien: Hai Chiau Main Identification Features: Shell truncate at the outer margin, thick and solid. Shell semitranslucent, dark reddish brown to nearly black in colour.
Common Name: Bicolor Pen Shell, Bicolor Fan Clam, Two-coloured Fan Shell Scientific Name:Pinna bicolor Gmelin, 1791 Family: Pinnidae Mandarin Name: 紫色裂江珧 (Zǐsè liè jiāng yáo), 双色江珧蛤 (Shuāngsè jiāng yáo há), 海鸟 (Hǎi niǎo) Local Malay Name: Siput Kemudi, Siput Kipas, Siput Beliung, Siput Baji, Panggang Pulut, Peha Ayam Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยจอบ (H̄oy cob), หอยซองพลู (H̄oy song phlū) Local Hokkien: Hai Chiau Main Identification Features: Shell thin, inflected at the lateral margin. Translucent, yellowish and light horn to dark brownish purple in colour.
Common Name: Pen Shell, Fan Mussel Scientific Name:Pinna incurva Gmelin, 1791 Family: Pinnidae Mandarin Name: 细长裂江珧 (Xì cháng liè jiāng yáo), 海鸟 (Hǎi niǎo) Local Malay Name: Siput Kemudi, Siput Kipas, Siput Beliung, Siput Baji, Peha Ayam Local Hokkien: Hai Chiau Main Identification Features: Shell narrow, long, with keel-like ridge, with transverse undulate wrinkles. Colour of the shell light reddish brown to yellowish-horn.
Species Group: Clams, Cockles, Arkshells (ISSCAAP 56)
Common Name: Blood Cockle, Granular Ark Scientific Name:Anadara granosa (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Arcidae Mandarin Name: 血蚶 (Xuè hān), 蛳蚶 (Sī hān) Local Malay Name: Kerang Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: หอยแครง (H̄oy khræng) Local Cantonese: Si Haam Local Hokkien: Haam
Common Name: Chinese Venus Clam Scientific Name:Callista chinensis Holten, 1802 Family: Veneridae Mandarin Name: 中华长文蛤 (Zhōnghuá zhǎngwén gé), 中国仙女蛤 (Zhōngguó xiānnǚ há) Local Malay Name: Siput Gayam, Kapah Nangka
Common Name: Asiatic Hard Clam Scientific Name:Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Veneridae Mandarin Name: 文蛤 (Wén há), 甲巴 (Jiǎ bā) Local Malay Name: Kunau, Kepah, Dalus Local Hokkien: Kapah
Common Name: Textile Venus, Carpet Clam Scientific Name:Paphia textile (Gmelin, 1791), Paratapes textilis (Gmelin, 1791) Family: Veneridae Mandarin Name: Taiwan - 织纹横帘蛤 (Zhī wén héng lián há), China - 织锦巴非蛤 (Zhījǐn bā fēi há), 啦啦 (Lā lā), 花蛤 (Huā há) Local Malay Name: Siput Lala, Retak Seribu Remarks: All other Malaysia and Indonesia local dialect also call it Lala
Species Group: Squids, Cuttlefishes, Octopuses, etc (ISSCAAP 57)
Common Name: Bigfin Reef Squid Scientific Name:Sepioteuthis lessoniana d'Orbigny, 1826 Family: Loliginidae Mandarin Name: 鱿鱼 (Yóuyú) Local Malay Name: Sotong Mabang, Sotong Mengabang, Maban Local Hokkien: Cheh Bak Main Identification Features: Identified by its green eyes with wide fins.
Common Name: Common Squid Scientific Name:Loligo spp. Family: Loliginidae Mandarin Name: 鱿鱼 (Yóuyú), 苏东 (Sū dōng) Local Malay Name: Sotong Peluru, Cumi-cumi Local Hokkien: Sotong
Common Name: Emperor Nautilus, Chambered Nautilus Scientific Name:Nautilus pompilius Linnaeus, 1758 Family: Nautilidae Mandarin Name: 鹦鹉螺 (Yīngwǔ luó) Main Identification Features: Umbilicus small, covered by a calcareous deposit. Brown to reddish brown striped colour pattern. Shell generally smooth, without growth lines. Habitat and Ecology: Inhabits continental shelf and slope, around coral reefs, from near the surface to a depth of about 750 m. Spends most of the day in deep water, migrates up the coral reef slopes to forage for food at night. Scavengers and opportunistic predators feeding mainly on crustaceans.
Common Name: Spineless Cuttlefish Scientific Name:Sepiella inermis (Van Hasselt [in Férussac & d'Orbigny], 1835) Family: Sepiidae Mandarin Name: 墨鱼 (Mòyú), 墨斗 (Mòdǒu) Local Malay Name: Sotong Katak Local Hokkien: Bak Tau Main Identification Features: Head short and broad. Eyes large and convex. Pupil W-shape in light and round in darkness. Cuttlebone spine absent. 8 or 9 iridescent patches along base of each fin. Habitat and Ecology: A demersal, shallow-water species, from the surface to a depth of 40 m. Able to camouflage by contracting and relaxing the muscles around the chromatophore cells to change colour. Feeds on fishes, crustaceans and occasionally cephalopods.
Notes:
ISSCAAP = International Standard Statistical Classification of Aquatic Animals and Plants
sp. = Species
spp. = Several Species (Species Plural)