WHATSTHATFISH
Sea slugs & snails

Millet Cowry

Naria miliaris

Also known as: Cowry, Fuzzy Cowry, Inocellate Cowry, Military Cowry, Cypraea miliaris

Adult
@Reefguide · Amed, Tulamben, Indonesia · November 20251 / 1
01

Overview

Found under rocks and over seaward slopes, often in shallow surge zones of sandy lagoons.
They feed nocturnally primarily on sponges, algae and invertebrates.

Cypraeidae have beautiful shells and equally beautiful mantles.
The Cowries are probably the most admired and sought after by shell collectors.
Cowries have few predators, but the mollusc-eating cones like Conus textile and octopus can inject venom into the cowry's flesh through a small hole and then sucks out the contents.
The mantle is like a cloak around the shell, highly muscular and when it contracts it forces water through the tubular siphon to propel itself rapidly through the water.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
speckled
Body shape
feathery

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found under rocks and over seaward slopes, often in shallow surge zones of sandy lagoons.

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Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumMollusca
    3. classGastropoda
    4. orderLittorinimorpha
    5. familyCypraeidae
    6. genusNaria
    7. speciesNaria miliaris (Gmelin, 1791)

    SourcesWoRMS

    06

    More in the family

    Sea Snails (Cypraeidae)