Description

Also known as Branch Murex, Branched Murex, Branched Murex Shell, Jugged Shell, Murex Shell, Ramose Murex, Ram's Murex, Ram's Murex Shell.

Found during the day on clean, coarse, rubble and sandy bottoms, sometimes partially buried, over coral and rocky reefs, emerging at night to feed.
They feed nocturnally on bivalves and gastropods.
Length - 30cm
Depth - 0-50m
Widespread Indo-Pacific


Murex Shells feed on bivalves by boring a hole into the animal and inserting their proboscis to feed.
They come in a range of colours and blend in with their surroundings.
These shells are highly prized collectors items with their winged and pungent spines.
Some look like walking skeleton shells. (edit) Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicoreus_ramosus