Chaldeus Cone Shell

The Chaldeus Cone Shell has pretty bands of irregular dark chocolate brown - black markings revolving around its length.

Commonly known as the Worm Cone, occasionally the entire surface becomes dark chocolate with the exception of an occasional white spot here and there. The markings also appear on the spire end of the shell.

Belonging to the large Conidae family of shells which exceed over 300 species in number, cone shells are perhaps one of the most popular collector groups after cowries.

They are very successful predators feeding on worms, molluscs and fish.

Like all species within the genus Conus, these snails are predatory have a highly developed system by which they are able to inject poisonous barbs into their prey prior to feeding.

The Chaldeus Cone (conus chaldaeus) is a common species found in the warm waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific.

Size: approx 2 cm long