Vardhan Patankar
( Chicoreus palmarosae )
They can be found in shallow coastal waters along coral reefs.
The rose-branch murex is a sea snail that can vary in size between 65-130 mm. It is mostly dark red with branch like structures all over the shell or conch.
They feed on various small invertebrates such as molluscs, worms and even other smaller marine snails.
Vardhan Patankar
Vardhan Patankar
( Calpurnus verrucosus )
This species of cowry can be found in tropical seas amongst corals, sponges and rocks at the depth of between 20-50 m.
They have small white and oval shape shells with brown spots and range between 10-40 mm in size. Due to the their white colour and ovular shape resembling an egg is the reason for their name.
They come out in the night to feed on soft coral polyps.
Vardhan Patankar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Cyprea tigris )
You can catch a glimpse of them at the depths of 10-40 m.
Tiger cowry is a species of cowry that can grow upto 15 cm in size, their shells are covered with darkish brown spots. Considered to be one of the most common cowrys that can be found in the ocean. Like the rest of the cowries, they usually hide during the day among sponges or coral and come out in the night to feed. The shells of these species have been used by humans going back many years for art and decoration. You might still find these at your local gift store!
This species is known to mainly feed on sponges.
Phalguni Ranjan
Vardhan Patankar
Vardhan Patankar
( Coriocella hibyae )
Found in and around coral reefs.
The velvet snail can reach to about 10 cm in length. They are hard to spot underwater because of their structure that resembles both a sponge or a sea slug and are hence mistaken for the two, make sure to take a closer look to know for sure! Most snails are covered by their shell which is secreted by their outer layer called the 'mantle'. However, with the velvet snail the mantle covers the shell making it sort of like an internal shell and hence to the viewer the mantle is what is visible.
They mainly feed on algae, planktonic particles and other small life forms.
Evan Nazareth
Vardhan Patankar
Evan Nazareth
( Micromelo guamensis )
You can find them in shallow areas at the depths of between 0-5m, they live on soft substrates and on the algal turf areas of rocky reefs.
The guam paper bubble has a white shell with black to brownish wavy lines going across the shell. The shell is too small to hold the whole body and hence looks like a bubble on the snail's back, as its name suggests. The rest of the body of this species is covered with white spots with blue colour in the margins, growing up to a length of about 10 to 12 mm.
Their diet mainly consists of polychaete worms from which they absorb toxins from that are incorporated into the snail's own tissus and are then used for the bubble snail's own defense.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Architectonica perspectiva )
You can find them living among coral reefs and sandy areas at depths between 10-65 m.
The sundial snail can reach about 5-7 cm in diameter, they display a spiral design with colours of black, white and brown. The body of the snail also displays similar colours to match the shell.
They consume marine anemones, corals and cnidarians.
Vardhan Patankar
( Ovula ovum )
Reside in tropical, shallow waters at depths between 2-20 m. They are spotted resting on algae and soft corals.
The common egg cowries is a small species with a maximum length of about 12 cm. The exhibit a shell which is smooth and shiny with a complete white colour. The body is coloured black with a pattern of small white spots. When young, these species resemble toxic nudibranchs this is a way of scaring predators away.
They are recorded to feed on corals.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Conus betulinus )
Usually spotted at depths between 0-20 m in sand flats and sheltered areas near seagrass beds.
The betuline cone shell is a species of sea snail that can range in size from 4-7 cm. They have shells that display yellow, orange-brown or white colouring with dark-brown lines that encircle the shell. Although, pretty in appearance the cone shells are capable of causing a sting as they are venomous and use this trait to catch play.
They feed on marine worms, small molluscs, small fish and other cone snails as well.