Pipis have a strong muscular foot inside their shells. They extend their foot outside of their shell to dig into the sand and bury themselves. Fishing people often use Pipis for bait.
Common name: Pipi
Scientific name: Plebidonax deltoides (previously Donax deltoides)
Photo: Dr I. Bennett
Look for the siphons (small hose) of Pipis on the beach. Find out about middens and sea food 'bush tucker'.
Beach
Pipi
Pipis are bivalves, meaning that they have two shells, joined by a hinge. Their shells are triangle-shaped and can grow up to 5 cm wide. Their shells are white or light pink on the outside and purple on the inside. Their soft body is inside the shells.
Pipis are purple inside and whitish on the outside.
Pipis are found around Australia. They are found on exposed sandy beaches.
Pipis eat plankton and small particles of dead plants and animals.
They suck up mud and particles from the water through a small hose that comes out of their shell. They pump the unwanted mud and water back out of their shell through a second hose. They digest any plant or animal matter.
Birds, crabs, snails, humans, stingrays and octopuses all eat Pipis.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
