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Dondan's Egg Cowry

Serratovolva dondani

Photo by Blogie
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Also known as Dan's Egg Cowry and Donald's Egg Cowry.

They feed on soft coral and gorgonians, and grow to about 2.5cm in length. (Photo shows full-grown specimen.)

[This species was named in honor of well-known American shells dealer, Donald Dan.]

Habitat:

Found on coral and rocky reefs on the host coral Dendronephthya sp., at depths of 5 to 30m. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region. Photos show the cowry on a 4- or 5-inch tall mauve spiky soft coral.

Notes:

At first I thought it was a nudibranch, but upon closer inspection I knew it couldn't be. It was only upon surfacing that my dive buddy, Shauming Lo, informed me that it was a cowry. (I apologize for the dim pictures -- I'd forgotten to bring my flash diffuser!) I spotted this lovely creature at a depth of about 60 feet.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)

Thanks guys! It's really a pleasure to share my underwater photos here. @jgorneau - No, it's more of a sea snail. :)
Amazing photos. It's a treat to see these creatures as live animals, as well as appreciate their beautiful shells.
Not being a diver, your spottings are sharing such a beautiful underwater world with me. Thanks!

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