Home > Invertebrates > Shells > Periwinkles

Updated 2/17/2026

Family Littorinidae

Periwinkles

Periwinkles are algal grazers found high above the waterline on rocky shores.  They move vertically with the tide.  They are capable of trapping water within the shell and hibernate for extended periods if required.

 

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Echinolittorina hawaiiensis 

HAWAIIAN PERIWINKLE

 

Echinolittorina hawaiiensis 

HAWAIIAN PERIWINKLE

 

Peasiella tantilla

KEELED PERIWINKLE

 

Peasiella tantilla

KEELED PERIWINKLE

 


INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Littoraria pintado

DOTTED PERIWINKLE

 

Littoraria coccinea

SCARLET PERIWINKLE

 

Littoraria scabra

MANGROVE PERIWINKLE

 

 

 



Family Planaxidae

Cluster Winks

Cluster winks are herbivorous, inhabiting rocky reefs.

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Fossarus cumingii

CUMING'S FOSSARUS

 
 
   

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Hinea zonata

DWARF PACIFIC CLUSTER WINK

 
Planaxis suturalis

SUTURED CLUSTER WINK



Family Rastodentidae

Rastoden snails

Tiny marine snails that feed upon hydrioid and bryozoans.

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Rastodens brevilabiosa  

SHORTLIP RASTODENS

 


Family Assimineidae

Palmleaf snails

Tiny air-breathing snails that prefer brackish water above sea level.

WEST PACIFIC / HAWAII

Angustassiminea nitida

SHINY PALMLEAF SNAIL

 


Family Ellobiidae

Air-breathing Snails

These air-breathing snails lack gills and inhabit the rocky splash zone, especially in areas with freshwater seeps.  Formerly known as Family Melampidae.

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Allochroa bronnii

HAWAIIAN ALLOCHROA

 

Pedipes sandwicensis

HAWAIIAN PEDIPES

   
   

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Melampus castaneus

COFFEE BEAN

 

Melampus cf. flavus

YELLOW COFFEE BEAN

 

Laemodonta octanfracta

CORDED LAEMODONTA

 

Allochroa layardi

LAYARD'S ALLOCHROA