Florida Cone, Atlantic Cone, Stearns' Cone
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Neogastropoda, Family: Conidae, Genus: Conasprella (or Conus), Species: C. anabathrum · Conidae (Cone snails) · Gastropod (univalve); whole shell; cone-shaped with moderate spire height.
Species
Conus anabathrum (formerly Conus floridanus)
Shell Type
Gastropod (univalve); whole shell; cone-shaped with moderate spire height.
Family
Conidae (Cone snails)
Size
Approximately 1.5 to 2 inches (38-50mm). This is typical for a mature adult as the species usually ranges from 1 to 2.5 inches.
Color & Pattern
Base color is creamy white to light tan. This specimen appears beach-worn and sun-bleached, losing the vibrant brown speckling and banding typical of living specimens. The interior aperture is white to pale lavender-buff.
Rarity
Common to Uncommon. While widely distributed, finding a perfectly intact, non-faded specimen on a beach requires diligence.
Habitat
Found in shallow marine waters, typically ranging from 0 to 100 meters deep. It prefers sandy bottoms and seagrass beds where it can bury itself.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic: found primarily from Florida (shores of both the Atlantic and Gulf) to North Carolina, and throughout the Bahamas.
Description
A classic cone-shaped shell featuring a moderately elevated, stepped spire. The body whorl is smooth with straight sides tapering toward the anterior end. The aperture is long and narrow, characteristic of the genus. In fresh specimens, subtle ridges may be visible near the base.
Key Features
Straight-sided body whorl; stepped spire with visible suture lines; absence of heavy sculpturing; narrow aperture that extends almost the full length of the shell.
Collector Value
Low to Moderate ($2 - $15 USD). Its value is primarily educational or for personal collections rather than investment, as it is a common Florida find in this condition.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The shell is structurally intact with no major chips in the lip, but the surface is 'chalky' and heavily bleached by the sun, indicating it sat on the beach for some time before being found.
Interesting Facts
Like all cone snails, this species is predatory and venomous. It uses a specialized radula tooth like a harpoon to inject toxins into small worms and fish. While not as dangerous as Indo-Pacific cones, it should be handled with caution when live.
Ecological Role
Active predator in the benthic community, helping to regulate populations of marine worms. It is preyed upon by crabs and larger mollusks like Horse Conchs.
Similar Species
Conus spurius (Alphabet Cone) which is larger and stockier, and Jaspidiconus stearnsii (Stearns' Cone) which is much smaller and more slender.
Beach Finding Tips
Look in the 'wrack line' (debris line) after a low tide or a storm. They are most common on Florida's Gulf Coast beaches like Sanibel or Captiva Island.