Habitat and behaviour thumb|right|Oyster reef at about mid-tide off fishing pier at Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina A group of oysters is commonly called a bed or oyster reef. thumb|Rocks in intertidal zone covered by oysters, at Bangchuidao Scenic Area, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China As a keystone species, oysters provide habitat for many marine species. Crassostrea and Saccostrea live mainly in the intertidal zone, while Ostrea is subtidal. The hard surfaces of oyster shells and the nooks between the shells provide places where a host of small animals can live. Hundreds of animals, such as sea anemones, barnacles, and hooked mussels, inhabit oyster reefs. Many of these animals are prey to larger animals, including fish, such as striped bass, black drum and croakers.
Habitat and behaviour thumb|right|Oyster reef at about mid-tide off fishing pier at Hun.ting Island State Park, South Carolina A group of oysters is commonly called a bed or oyster reef. thumb|Rocks in intertidal zone cov?ered by oysters, at Bangchuidao Scenic Area, Dalian, Liaoning ?Province, China As a keystone species, oysters provide habitat for many marine species. Crassostrea and Saccostrea live mainly in the intertidal zone, while Ostrea is subtidal. The hard surfaces of oyster shells and the nooks between the shells provide places where a host of small animals can live. Hundreds of animals, such as sea anemones, barnacles, and hooked mussels, inhabit oyster reefs. Many of these animals are prey to larger animals, including fish, such as striped bass, black drum and croakers.