Mermaid's Purse

Mermaid's Purse

The Mermaid's Purse is not an invertebrate at all - it is a fish egg capsule. The egg capsule of a skate or ray, to be precise. The "horns" are to secure the capsule in seaweed. You may find one with a baby skate growing inside, but most are empty. They are included here with bivalves because they are often found scattered around the bottom like shells, up to 3" long. They certainly don't look like fish!


Bill Figley

Fisherman Profile by Jim Munroe

Editor's Note:

The New Jersey fishing community owes a world of gratitude to Bill Figley for his tireless service on behalf of recreational angling in the state. Considered the patriarch of the artificial reef program, his model of excellence created over two decades in New Jersey has since been emulated by other states along the East Coast.

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