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Exotic Sea Shells
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![]() Spondylus Albibarbatus - White Bearded Spondylus - G50aThe white-beard spondylus (Spondylus barbatus), commonly known as the Bearded Thorny Oyster, is a species of spiny bivalve mollusc in the family Spondylidae. While often called an "oyster," it is more closely related to scallops. Reeve, 1856. The White-Bearded Spondylus. This specimen was found amongst coral and rubble on sand near WWII refugee shipwreck at 20 metres, South Pompong Island, Riau group, Indonesia. Length 10cm. | ![]() Nautilus Belauensis - Chambered Nautilus - G47The chambered nautilus is the only true Cephalopod with an external shell. It has a lightweight, thin, spirally coiled shell. Nautilus are only found in the Indo-Pacific region. Length 14cm. | ![]() Spondylus Nicobaricus - Thorny Oyster - G49aThe Thorny Oyster is a rare and beautiful species of spiny oyster (bivalve mollusk) known for its vibrant colours (white, pink, orange, yellow) and dense, variable spines. Schreibers 1793. Specimen was found on and next to wreck of LPG tanker 'Bluebird', off North-Western coast of Borneo, South China Sea. Length 11.5cm. |
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![]() Spondylus Nicobaricus - Thorny Oyster - G49bThe Thorny Oyster is a rare and beautiful species of spiny oyster (bivalve mollusk) known for its vibrant colours (white, pink, orange, yellow) and dense, variable spines. Schreibers 1793. Specimen was found on and next to wreck of LPG tanker 'Bluebird', off North-Western coast of Borneo, South China Sea. Length 11.5cm. | ![]() Spondylus Ictericus - Digitate Thorny Oyster G51bSpondylus Ictericus, also known as Digitate Thorny Oyster, is a vibrant, spiny bivalve mollusk known for its rich brick-red to orange colours, short finger-like spines, and preference for shallow western Atlantic waters, attaching to hard surfaces like rocks or wrecks. Reeve 1856. Attached to rocks at 10-12 metres, collected by diver, Guarapari, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Length 13cm. | ![]() Spondylus Ictericus - Digitate Thorny Oyster - G51aSpondylus Ictericus, also known as Digitate Thorny Oyster, is a vibrant, spiny bivalve mollusk known for its rich brick-red to orange colours, short finger-like spines, and preference for shallow western Atlantic waters, attaching to hard surfaces like rocks or wrecks. Reeve 1856. Attached to rocks at 10-12 metres, collected by diver, Guarapari, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Length 13cm. |
![]() Spondylus Regius - Regal Thorny Oyster - G48aAlso known as regal thorny oyster, Spondylus Regius is a species of spiny bivalve mollusk highly prized by shell collectors for its large size, vibrant colors, and exceptionally long, delicate spines. While commonly called an oyster, it is biologically more closely related to scallops. This specimen was found by local divers amongst coral, 25-30 metres off Mactan Island, Philippines. Length 11.5cm | ![]() Spondylus Regius - Regal Thorny Oyster G48bAlso known as regal thorny oyster, Spondylus Regius is a species of spiny bivalve mollusk highly prized by shell collectors for its large size, vibrant colors, and exceptionally long, delicate spines. While commonly called an oyster, it is biologically more closely related to scallops. This specimen was found by local divers amongst coral, 25-30 metres off Mactan Island, Philippines. Length 11.5cm | ![]() Spondylus Imperialist - Imperial Thorny Oyster - G69bKnown also as Imperial Thorny Oyster is widely found in the Indo-West Pacific. Typical colour is white with very long spines especially in younger specimens. Attached to rubble on coral slope 15-20 metres by local divers. Zamboanga, Phillipines. This specimen shell length including spines 10cm. |
![]() Spondylus Americanus - Atlantic Thorny Oyster - G57Atlantic Thorny Oyster is a species of bivalve mollusc found in the western Atlantic Ocean. The shell is roughly circular and can reach a diameter of 10 to 20 cm. It is distinguished by long, spiny projections that can grow up to 5 cm in length. Specimen taken by diver at 30 metres off Palm Beach, Florida, USA. Length 16cm. | ![]() Murex Stainforthi G54bReeve, 1843 . a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Muricidae. Some Murexes are colourful but their beauty lies much more in their variety of ornamentation with their spines, varices and thrills. This specimen found on oysters on muddy reef at low tide. Covered in mud hard to see. Dampier Back Beach, Dampier, North North-Western Australia. Length 9cm | ![]() Murex Stainforthi G54aReeve, 1843 . a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Muricidae. Some Murexes are colourful but their beauty lies much more in their variety of ornamentation with their spines, varices and thrills. This specimen found on oysters on muddy reef at low tide. Covered in mud hard to see. Dampier Back Beach, Dampier, North North-Western Australia. Length 9cm |
![]() Conus Betulinus - Betuline Cone - G70Common name the betuline cone is a marine snail in the family Conidae. Recognized for its heavy, cone-shaped shell and distinct dotted pattern, it is a venomous gastropod found primarily in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. Specimen found in sand at 1 -3 metres amongst coral by local lobster divers. Length 9cmNungwi Village, North coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Length 9cm | ![]() Murex Pecten - Venus Comb Murex - G73Common name Venus Comb Murex. A large predatory sea snail known for its extremely long siphonal canal and over 100 delicate spines. From family Muricidae. Solely located Into-Pacific region. Length 11 cm | ![]() Conus Betulinus - Betuline Cone - G70dCommon name the betuline cone is a marine snail in the family Conidae. Recognized for its heavy, cone-shaped shell and distinct dotted pattern, it is a venomous gastropod found primarily in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. Specimen found in sand at 1 -3 metres amongst coral by local lobster divers. Nungwi Village, North coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Length 9cm |
![]() Cassis Cornuta - Horned Helmet - G64aCommon name Horned Helmet is a heavy shell with a large, thick parietal shield and short spire. Found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, extending from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and French Polynesia. This individual was found in coral sand, Indo-Pacific. Length 8cm | ![]() Cassis Cornuta - Horned Helmet - G64bCommon name Horned Helmet is a heavy shell with a large, thick parietal shield and short spire. Found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, extending from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and French Polynesia. This individual was found in coral sand, Indo-Pacific. Length 8cm | ![]() Strombus Lentiginosus - Silver Conch -G66aLinnaeus,1758. Common name Silver Conch. Medium sized marine snail from Strombidae family. Found on sand in coral rubble 8-10 metres inside lagoon Scott Reef far North-West Western Australia. Length 11cm |
![]() Strombus Lentiginosus - Silver Conch - G66bLinnaeus,1758. Common name Silver Conch. Medium sized marine snail from Strombidae family. Found on sand in coral rubble 8-10 metres inside lagoon Scott Reef far North-West Western Australia. Length 11cm | ![]() Lambis Chiragra Spider Conch G52aCommonly known as a spider conch Lambis Chiragra is a species of very large sea snail. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the the family Strombidae. Length 22.5cm . | ![]() Lambis Chiragra Spider Conch G52bCommonly known as a spider conch Lambis Chiragra is a species of very large sea snail. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the the family Strombidae. Length 22.5cm . |
![]() Lambis Scorpius - Scorpion Conch Lambis - G55bCommonly known as scorpion conch Lambis Scorpius is a marine mollusc in the family Strombidae. Found in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. Length 12.5cm | ![]() Lambis Scorpius - Scorpion Conch Lambis - G55dCommonly known as scorpion conch Lambis Scorpius is a marine mollusc in the family Strombidae. Found in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. Length 12.5cm | ![]() Volute Melo Melo G68Large marine gastropod mollusc. Common name Indian volute or bailer shell. Found south east Asia, South China Sea and Philippines. Length 12cm |
![]() Strombus Sinuatus - laciniate conch - G65aHumphrey, 1786. Solid shell with stepped, knobbed spire and body whorl with a winglike extension. Habitat Coral sand, shallow water. On coral reef near large coral bommies at 18-20 metres depth, Siasi, Sulu Sea, Southern Philippines. Length 10cm. | ![]() Strombus Sinuatus - laciniate conch - G65bHumphrey, 1786. Common name Laciniate Conch. Solid shell with stepped, knobbed spire and body whorl with a winglike extension. Habitat Coral sand, shallow water. On coral reef near large coral bommies at 18-20 metres depth, Siasi, Sulu Sea, Southern Philippines. Length 10cm. | ![]() Terebra Subulata - Subulate Auger - G59aLinnaeus, 1767. A species of sea auger snail, a marine gastropod mollusc. Specimen found by diver in coarse sand pocket on coral rubble slope 6 metres depth. Simuruka Island, Marau, Soloman Islands, South Pacific. Length 11.5cm |
![]() Terebra Guttata - Eyed Auger - G61aRoding, 1798. Common name is the eyed auger. A species of marine gastropod mollusc. Specimen found in sand pockets in coral rubble 6 metres depth, Makina Passage, Maraud Sound, Duadalcanal Island, Soloman Islands. Lengths 9cm and 14cm | ![]() Terebra Strigata - Zebra Auger -G62Sowerby, 1825. Sometimes known as zebra auger. Specimen found on exposed sand bars at extreme low tide. Venado Island, Panama bay, Western Panama. Length 10 cm | ![]() Terebra Crenulata - Notched Auger - G63cLinnaeus, 1758. Known as Notched Auger. It has a solid shell with straight sided whorls. Likes shallow water on sand. Main region Indo-Pacific. Found on sandy slope at night at 6-10metres, Batu Enek Reef, Natuna island group, South China Sea. Lengths 9.5cm and 7cm |
![]() Terebra Dimidiata G60aLinnaeus, 1758. Commonly known as the orange auger is a marine gastropod mollusc. Spicimen found in sand 2-3 metres, Michaelmas Cay, Queensland. Australia. Length 10cm | ![]() Cypraea Histrio - Harlequin Cowry - G58Gmelin, 1791. Common name harlequin cowry or stage cowry is a marine gastropod mollusc. Specimens found under large coral boulders on flat reef at extreme low tide. North coast of Seringapatam Reef, North West Western Australia. Lengths 6cm and 7cm. | ![]() Cypraea Eglantina - Dog Rose Cowry - G93Commonly known as the ‘Dog-Rose Cowry’ or Mauritian Eglantina is a small sea snail (marine mollusc gastropod) in the Cypraeidae family. The shell is typically cylindrical and elongated, featuring a pattern of brown or greyish longitudinal lines and often a pale dorsal line. Classification Duclos 1833. Found under coral slabs on inshore reef at low tide, 0.6 metres depth. Wonga Beach, Far North Queensland, Australia. |
![]() Mitra Papalis - Papal Mitre G53Mitra Papalis commonly known as the Papal Mitre or Pontifical Mitre, is a large species of predatory sea snail (mollusc) in the family Mitridae. It is named for its distinctive shell, which resembles the traditional ceremonial headdress (mitre) worn by clergy. Linnaeus 1758. Found by diver in sand amongst coral and rubble at 5m near Pulau Kapoposang, 37 NM North-West of Ujung Pandang, South Sulawesi, Makassar Strait, Indonesia. Length 11.5 cm. |
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