Phylum Mollusca

Class Gastropoda

 

Family Conidae

Cone Shells

Cone shells are well-known since they possess a powerful sting used to capture prey.  Unfortunately some humans have been fatally wounded when incorrectly handling live cones, especially those that feed upon mollusks and fishes.  The least dangerous method is to hold the shell at the widest point and be prepared to let go if the animal extends itself.  Cones are prey-specific, feeding upon worms, mollusks, or small fish, those that eat worms having the weakest venom.  The sting comes from a hollow harpoon dart called the radula.  It is rapidly thrust into living prey by the extensible mouth or proboscis and venom is pumped into the wound and more radulae may employed until it dies.   Then it can be swallowed by expanding the proboscis much like a snake would swallow its prey.  The barbed radula also assists in pulling prey into the mouth.

A living cone animal has a long foot and the head is located at the narrow end of the shell.  A flap of tissue called the mantle lines the inside of the shell and is rolled to form a siphon that extends beyond the shell and draws water into the gills.  The often-banded siphon is mistaken by observers for the stinging proboscis which is normally retracted and of a single color.   Each species' soft-parts has a distinct color pattern allowing experienced divers to identify it even if the shell is totally encrusted with algae.

There are at least 500 species in the world's warm waters and are very popular with shell collectors, but living shells are well-camouflaged or buried in sand.  While living the shell is covered with a brown skin-like periostracum which is the foundation for shell development.  The periostracum in turn becomes encrusted with coralline algae in species that do not completely bury themselves.  It can be removed by soaking the empty shell in chlorine bleach overnight and scrubbing with a stainless steel wire brush.  Living shells often become eroded or chipped and permanent scars are visible.  There is a considerable degree of variation in the coloration and pattern within some species (see Conus pulicarius).  Many species also have a bumpy or coronated spire.

Note: similar species are grouped together for convenience

What does it eat?

Fish

Worms

Snails

Cones

 

HAWAII

Conus abbreviatus

Makapu'u Tidepool, Oahu

Abbreviated Cone, Oahu

 

  ABBREVIATED CONE

Common on reefs and tidepools to 60 feet.  Endemic to Hawaii.  Shell is tan, olive, or gray with small brown dots and coronated spire.  Attains 2 inches.  Animal is tan with pink siphon.

Conus coronatus

Crown Cone, Oahu

  CROWN CONE

Very rare in Hawaii on benches and shallow reefs, but common throughout the Indo- Pacific.  Spiral pattern of brown & white dashes instead of dots in C. abbreviatus.  Attains 1.5 inches.

Conus catus

Cat Cone, Oahu

 

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

 

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

 

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

 CAT CONE

Uncommon in tidepools and reef benches.  Spirally grooved shell is brown with white flame-like markings and spiral dashes.  Attains 1.5 inches.  Feeds upon gobies & blennies at night.  Animal is brown.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

 

 

 

Conus chaldaeus

Chaldean Cone, Oahu

 

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

 CHALDEAN CONE

Fairly common on very shallow reefs and in tidepools.  A thick shell with granular spirals and coronated spire, black with white axial streaks.  Attains 1 inch.  Animal is striped black and tan and siphon has a red tip.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus ebraeus

Laying eggs, Kapoho Tidepool, Hawaii, 3 feet

 

Hebrew Cone, Oahu

 

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

Kapoho tidepool, Hawaii

  HEBREW CONE

Common on shallow reefs and tidepools.  Attains largest size in Hawaii, about 3 inches.  Black polygons vary considerably among individuals.  Spire is lightly coronated.  Animal is striped black and tan and siphon has a red tip.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus flavidus

Golden-yellow Cone, Oahu

  GOLDEN-YELLOW CONE

Common on reefs, tidepools, and sand pockets to 15 feet.  Spire is low and smooth, aperture purple.  Shell is golden yellow with white midbody spiral and purple base.  Attains 2.5 inches.  Animal is tan mottled with brown, siphon banded with black and yellow.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus frigidus

Frigid Cone, Oahu

  FRIGID CONE

Extremely rare in shallow water in Hawaii; uncommon in the western Pacific.  Smooth spire and last whorl has beaded spirals.  Attains 1.5 inches.

Conus lividus

Olive-green Cone, Oahu

 

Makapu'u, Oahu, 3 feet

 

Ft. Kamehemeha, Oahu, 3 feet

 

Ft. Kamehemeha, Oahu, 3 feet

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

  OLIVE-GREEN CONE

Abundant on shallow reefs and in tidepools.  Spire is coronated and body whorl often with beaded spirals toward base.  Color is olive to orange-brown with faint mid-body spiral.  Attains 3.5 inches.  Animal is reddish black.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus moreleti

Morelet's Cone

 MORELET'S CONE

Common on reefs from 15 to 60 feet.  A smooth and slender olive green shell without light mid-body spiral or granules.  Spire is low and bumpy.  Attains 2 inches.  Animal is reddish brown with distinctive orange, yellow, and black markings.  Sometimes confused with the much heavier Conus lividus.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus distans

Distantly-lined Cone, adult

Adult

 

Distantly-lined Cone, juveniles

Juvenile

Kahe Point, Oahu, 20 feet

 

Kahe Point, Oahu, 20 feet

Waimanalo, Oahu, 20 feet

   DISTANTLY-LINED CONE

Locally common on reefs in the surf zone to 20 feet.  Large species (5 inches) with slightly concave sides and coronated spire.  Thick periostracum often has spiral tufts.  Shell is dirty cream to tan with purple base.  Animal is tan to brown.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus spiceri

Spicer's Cone

 

Spicer's Cone

 

Spicer's Cone, Makua, Oahu, 75 feet (aquarium photo)

 SPICER'S CONE

Rare in sand pockets or under rocks, locally common at Midway.  Elongate, solid shell light yellow, aperture white, spire flat and smooth.  Animal is brown with yellow head, siphon banded with black & white.  Attains 5 inches.  Endemic to Hawaii.

Conus quercinus

Oak Cones, Oahu

 

Haleiwa, Oahu, 30 feet

 

Juvenile, Kahe Point, Oahu, 40 feet

 

Kewalo, Oahu, 50 feet

Kewalo, Oahu, 50 feet

   OAK CONE

Locally common in sand or mud to at least 250 feet.  Juveniles prefer deep water.  Shell broad and heavy in adults, spire smooth with concave profile tapering to sharp point.  Periostracum thick in adults.  Color cream or yellow with fine spirals of brown most prominent in juveniles.  Attainss 5 inches.  Animal tan or brown mottled with black.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus leopardus

Leopard Cone, Oahu

 

Juvenile, Midway Lagoon, 20 feet

 

Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 25 feet

 

Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu, 3 feet

Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu, 3 feet

 

Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu, 3 feet

Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu, 3 feet

   LEOPARD CONE

Locally common and found partially buried on sandy reefs to 60 feet.  Attains 10 inches.  Large shells lose their spots.  Spire is smooth, periostracum thick in adults.  Animal is mottled tan and brown.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus pulicarius

Flea Cones, Oahu & Maui

 

Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 70 feet

 

Sharks Cove, Oahu, 40 feet

 

Sharks Cove, Oahu, 40 feet

Sea Tiger, Oahu, 120 feet

  FLEA CONE

Juveniles are abundant in sand adjacent to reefs at scuba depths.  Large adults are uncommon in shallow water.  Easily found by following tracks created as they crawl through the sand.  Spire is coronated, flat or tall and conical.  Pattern and number of black spots varies considerably among individuals.  Attains 3.5 inches.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus marmoreus bandanensis

Marbled Cones, Oahu

 

Kea`au, Oahu, 50 feet

HAWAIIAN MARBLED CONE

Uncommon on hard reef or buried in sand pockets to 300 feet.  Spire is flat and coronated.  Black tented pattern on white shell.  Feeds upon other species of cone shells.  Animal is tan with brown mottling.  Attains 5 inches.  Has a potentially lethal sting.  Endemic Hawaiian subspecies.

Conus pennaceus

Penniform Cone, Oahu Penniform Cone, Oahu & Kauai

Kaupo Bay, Oahu, 3 feet

   PENNIFORM CONE

Common in sand under rocks in tidepools to depths of 15 feet.  White with reddish brown tented pattern, spire is flat to conical.  Coloration, pattern, and shell shape varies among individuals.  Juveniles settle where they hatch unlike most cones.  Attains 3 inches.  Animal is tan with brown mottling, siphon is tipped with red, white and black.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus textile

Textile Cone, Oahu

 

Kea`au, Oahu, 50 feet

 

Kewalo, Oahu, 35 feet

YO-257 Wreck, Waikiki, Oahu, 110 feet

  TEXTILE CONE

Uncommon in sand under slabs at scuba depths.  Shell is light with concave spire, white with golden blotches and dark brown tented pattern.  Attains 4 inches.  Feeds upon cowries and other snails at night, sting is potentially lethal to humans.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus retifer

Retifer Cone, Midway

 RETIFER CONE

Rare in sand under slabs deeper than 30 feet.  Fairly common at Midway.  Inflated heavy shell, pinkish white with golden blotches and black tented pattern, aperture lavender.  Attains 3 inches.  Feeds upon snails, venom may be dangerous.  Hawaii & the tropical Pacific.

Conus circumactus

Circumactus Cone, Oahu

 CIRCUMACTUS CONE

Rare in sand under slabs deeper than 50 feet.  Pinkish white with two flame-like orange brown spirals and brown flecks on the spire, base violet.  Attains 2 inches.  Hawaii & the tropical Pacific.

Conus vitulinus

Kewalo, Oahu, 35 feet

Kewalo, Oahu, 35 feet

 

Calf Cone

 CALF CONE

Locally common on sandy reefs to 130 feet.  Glossy brown with irregular white mid-body spiral, spire white with brown marks.  Spire flat with spiral grooves.  Animal is bright yellow, periostracum has fine spiral ridges.  Attains 2.5 inches.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus litoglyphus

Hieroglyph Cone

 

  HIEROGLYPHIC CONE

Uncommon on reefs from 30 to 200 feet.  Shell is rusty brown or tan with dark tip and white splashes, spire is smooth.  Attains 2 inches.  Animal is olive green with black mottling.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus pertusus

Perforated Cone

 PERFORATED CONE

Fairly common in dead coral from 45 to 300 feet.  Shell lightweight, salmon to maroon with white spire and broken midbody spiral.  Attains 1.5 inches.  Animal is light yellow with black speckles.  Hawaii & the tropical Pacific.

Conus vexillum

Flag Cone, juvenile & adult

 

Ft. Kamehemeha, Oahu, 3 feet

 

Ft. Kamehemeha, Oahu, 3 feet

 

Ft. Kamehemeha, Oahu, 3 feet

Ft. Kamehemeha, Oahu, 3 feet

  FLAG CONE

Uncommon on reefs.  Shell broad but quite thin, spire is low and smooth.  White and golden brown (juvenile olive) with irregular brown axial lines and brown base, aperture white.  Animal is greenish black.  Reaches 5 inches.

Conus rattus

Rat Cone, Oahu

 

Kapoho tidepool, Hawaii, 3 feet

 

Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 25 feet

 

Kaupo Bay, Oahu, 6 feet

Kaupo Bay, Oahu, 6 feet

 

Diamond Head, Oahu

Kapoho tidepool, Hawaii

Kapoho tidepool, Hawaii

  RAT CONE

Fairly common on shallow reefs and tidepools.  Spire smooth, shell glossy, olive brown with white blotches and dots, aperture purple and white.  Attains 2.5 inches.  Animal is greenish black.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus miles

Soldier Cone, Oahu

 

Kahala, Oahu, 40 feet

 

Ft. Kamehemeha, Oahu, 3 feet

 

Ft. Kamehemeha, Oahu, 3 feet

Ft. Kamehemeha, Oahu, 3 feet

  SOLDIER CONE

Locally common on reefs to 100 feet.  Alternating bands of cream and brown with black base and fine wavy brown lines.  Aperture is purple and white.  Attains 3 inches.  Animal is greenish black.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus imperialis

Imperial Cones, Oahu

 

Juvenile, Sharks Cove, Oahu, 30 feet

 

Blowhole, Oahu, 35 feet

Puako, Hawaii, 30 feet

  IMPERIAL CONE

Uncommon on reefs to 100 feet.  Attains 4 inches.  Shell is gray with brown blotches and black & white spiral dashes, spire is coronated.  Animal is red.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus sponsalis

Ceylon Cone, Oahu

 

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

 

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

  CEYLON CONE

Abundant on intertidal benches, tidepools, and reefs.  Shell white with brown flecks, base purple, and coronated spire.  Attains 3/4 inch.  Animal is pink and white.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus suturatus sandwichensis

Hawaiian Sutured Cone, Pearl & Hermes Reef

  HAWAIIAN SUTURED CONE

Rare in sand at scuba depths.  Glossy white with wide pink to orange spirals and a few brown marks on the spire, narrow aperture is white.  Reaches 1.5 inches.  Endemic Hawaiian subspecies.

Conus nussatella

Nussatella Cone, Oahu

 

Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 80 feet

  NUSSATELLA CONE

Rare in silt under stone & rubble at scuba depths.  Feeds upon other snails.  Attains 3 inches.  Animal is light brown.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus obscurus

Dusky Cone

Kahe Point, Oahu, 25 feet

 

Kewalo Hump, Oahu, 90 feet

 

Kewalo Hump, Oahu, 90 feet

Kewalo Hump, Oahu, 90 feet

 DUSKY CONE

Fairly common in sand under stones or within dead coral at scuba depths.  Thin purplish-gray shell with brown blotches and flaring aperture.  Attains 1 inch.  Feeds upon small fishes, sting may be dangerous.  Animal is flesh-colored with brown markings.  Hawaii & the tropical Pacific.

Conus striatus

Striated Cone

 

Kaena Point, Oahu, 25 feet

  STRIATED CONE

Uncommon in sand under coral slabs at 20 to 60 feet, usually exposed at night.  Elongate pinkish-white shell with brown or purplish spirals forming flame-like axial streaks.  Spire is low and spirally grooved.  Attains 5 inches.  Animal is tan mottled with brown.  Feeds upon sleeping reef fishes and sting is potentially lethal to humans.  Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific.

Conus acutangulus

Sharp-angled Cone, Oahu

SHARP-ANGLED CONE

Uncommon in sand at 60 to 200 feet.  Nearly biconic with prominent spiral cords.  Attains 1 inch.  Hawaii & the tropical Pacific.

Conus bullatus

Bubble Cone, Oahu

 BUBBLE CONE

Rare in deep water buried in sand, more often empty or inhabited by a hermit crab.  Shell solid and widest at mid-body and flaring aperture, pink with cloudy orange brown spirals, aperture pinkish-orange.  Reaches 3 inches.


INDO-PACIFIC

Conus marmoreus marmoreus

MARBLED CONE

Uncommon on hard reef or buried in sand pockets to 300 feet.  Spire is flat and coronated.  Black tented pattern on white shell.  Feeds upon other species of cone shells.  Animal is tan with brown mottling.  Attains 5 inches.  Has a potentially lethal sting.  Indo-Pacific.

 


TROPICAL EASTERN PACIFIC

Conus dalli

DALL'S CONE

 

 

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