Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata

This oyster is endemic to Australia. It can change gender during it's lifetime. They start out as males, then turn into females later. They usually reach 40-60 grams in 2-3 years. They are preyed on by humans, birds( especially the Australian pied oystercatcher ), fish, starfish, stingrays and mud crabs. They can cope with a wide range of salt-levels, in scientific terms, halotolerant. It takes only three weeks for the larvae to develop shells and retractable feet. During those weeks, the larvae swim in coastal and estuarine waters. They are broadcast spawners( eggs and sperm are released in open water to fertilise).