Kingdom Animalia Class Gastropoda Clade Hypsogastropoda Scientific name Conus flavidus | Phylum Mollusca Clade Caenogastropoda Clade Neogastropoda Rank Species | |
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Similar Conus lividus, Conus coronatus, Conus generalis, Conus eburneus, Conus nussatella | ||
Conus flavidus, common name the flavid Pacific cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.
Contents
Like all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of "stinging" humans, therefore live ones should be handled carefully or not at all.
Description
Body whorl with finely beaded spiral cords, which are stronger anteriorly. Sides of body whorl nearly straight; interior purple. Shoulder smooth. Maximum shell length 7.5 cm, commonly to 4 cm.
The color of the shell is yellowish to orange-brown, with an obscure lighter band below the shoulder and in the middle, encircled by ridged striae, sometimes nearly obsolete above. The base of the shell is stained purple. The aperture is orange or violaceous, with a white central band. This species feeds mainly on small coral fishes.
Distribution
This marine species occurs in the Red Sea and has a wide distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific; also off Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia). It is common on reef areas, usually under boulders and corals during the day. It can be found in intertidal and shallow sublittoral zones to a depth of about 10 m.