About Nerita picea Récluz, 1841
Nerita picea Récluz, 1841 is a species of marine snail commonly called Black Nerite, and known as Pipipi in Hawaiian. Mature individuals of this species reach 5 to 20mm in size. Their shells are ovate, solid and calcareous, with small ridges that give the shell surface a textured appearance. The outer shell is dark blue to black, while the inner shell is white. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It inhabits the higher sections of the intertidal zone on rocky shorelines, where it typically occurs in clusters within rock crevices and pockets. In Hawaiian culture, Nerita picea is harvested as food: it is commonly eaten boiled, added to soups, or consumed raw.
