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Sea slugs & snails

West Indian Top Shell

Cittarium pica

Also known as: Edible West Indian Whelk, Magpie Sea Snail, Magpie Shell, Magpie Snail, Magpie Turbo Sea Shell, Top Snail, Top Whelk, Turbo Shell, West Indian Top Shell Snail, West Indian Topsnail, West Indian Trochid, West Indian Whelk, Whelk, Wilk

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Adult
@JolineCuracao · Curaçao - Mambo Beach, Curaçao · October 20201 / 3
01

Overview

Found amongst rock and shell rubble, of sub-tidal areas, as well as boulder and coral areas, of inter-tidal and offshore coral reefs rich in algae growth. Fast moving and active during the night when feeding.
They feed nocturnally on algae, debris, diatoms, plants, and weeds.

These snails are a popular food source in the West Indies.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Behaviour
nocturnal

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Central Atlantic
  • Country only · 3
LIVES IN

Found amongst rock and shell rubble, of sub-tidal areas, as well as boulder and coral areas, of inter-tidal and offshore coral reefs rich in algae growth.

RANGE
04

Adult photos 3

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumMollusca
    3. classGastropoda
    4. orderTrochida
    5. familyTegulidae
    6. genusCittarium
    7. speciesCittarium pica (Linnaeus, 1758)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

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    Commercial Top

    Rochia nilotica

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    Cone Top Shell

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    Variable Stomatella

    Stomatella auricula

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