Crassostrea gigas, commonly known as the Pacific oyster, is a species of oyster native to the coasts of Asia, particularly Japan and China. It has a rough, irregular shell that can vary in color, typically ranging from gray to brown. This oyster is highly valued for its culinary uses and is a significant part of aquaculture in many regions, including North America and Europe. These oysters thrive in intertidal zones and estuaries, where they filter feed on plankton and other microscopic organisms in the water. Crassostrea gigas can grow rapidly and reach maturity in just a few years, making them an important species for both commercial fisheries and ecological health in marine environments.