Invertebrate
Red Sea Cowrie
Bistolida erythraeensisAlso known as Red Sea Cowry
Gliding across coral substrate under the cover of night, this small sea snail extends its patterned mantle completely over its glossy shell to protect it from abrasion and encrusting growth. Red Sea cowries browse among coral rubble and rock crevices, grazing primarily on encrusting sponges and algal films. During daylight hours, they remain well concealed beneath dead coral plates and overhangs to evade diurnal reef predators.
NocturnalMarineReef Dweller
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMarine sponges, Encrusting bryozoans, Benthic microalgae
Predators
- Day octopus
- Spotted porcupinefish
- Reef crabs
ThreatsCoral reef degradation, warming ocean waters, and shell collecting
HabitatsShallow coral reefs, rocky reefs, and rubble zones
Life span2–5 years
Classification
- FamilyCypraeidae
- SpeciesBistolida erythraeensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Reef Etiquette: Never turn over live coral rocks to search for hiding mollusks.
- Tide Pools: Look carefully under shaded overhangs during low tide without touching.
- Shell Collecting: Leave empty shells behind, as hermit crabs rely on them for shelter.
Predator Ahmed Abdul Rahman / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative User:Bricktop / CC BY 2.5 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Thomas Mesaglio, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Mesaglio · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Takaaki Hattori, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Takaaki Hattori · cc-by
Same Family (c) Rickard Zerpe, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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