noun
Hyriopsis schlegelii (freshwater mussel)
A species of freshwater mussel native to Japan, often used in pearl cultivation.
イケチョウガイは真珠養殖に使われる淡水貝です。
The Hyriopsis schlegelii is a freshwater mussel used in pearl cultivation.
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
The name combines 池 (pond) and 蝶貝 (pearl oyster), referring to its habitat and shell shape. The exact derivation is uncertain.