Home > Invertebrates > Shells > Cowries > Cypraea tigris schilderiana

Updated 1/16/2014

Family Cypraeidae

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Cypraea tigris schilderiana 

Mokapu, Oahu, 30 feet, 118mm

 

Puako, Hawaii, 15 feet

 

Subadult

 

Makapu'u, Oahu, 15 feet

 

Eggs, SE Oahu, 50 feet

Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 30 feet

 

Makapu'u, Oahu, 20 feet

 

Sea Cave, Oahu, 25 feet

Sea Cave, Oahu, 25 feet

 

Hanauma Bay, Oahu

Blowhole, Oahu, 20 feet

HAWAIIAN TIGER COWRY

Found exposed next to coral heads or in holes along ledges at shallow scuba depths.  Mantle is only extended at night.  Endemic Hawaiian subspecies attains greatest size & value in Hawaii, with shells exceeding 5 inches fetching several hundred dollars.  Smaller shells of Cypraea tigris tigris are common throughout the Indo-West Pacific.