Florent's Guide To The

Tropical Reefs

Variable Thorny Oyster
Spondylus varius
Variable Thorny Oyster
Category: Thorny Oysters
Scientific Name: Spondylus varius
Synonyms: Spondylus varians
Size: Up to 6 in. (15 cm)  
Depth: 10-100 ft. (3-30 m)
Distribution: Indo-Pacific
Mollusca (Phylum)
└Bivalvia (Class)
 └Pectinida (Order)
  └Spondylidae (Family)
   └Spondylus (Genus)
    └S. varius (Species)

Bivalves & Chitons
Thorny Oysters

Variable Thorny Oyster

Atlantic Thorny-Oyster

Bearded Thorny Oyster



All Photographs
© 2026 Florent Charpin