Textile Cone, also known as the Cloth-of-Gold Conus
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Neogastropoda, Family: Conidae, Genus: Conus, Species: Conus textile · Conidae (Cone Snail family) · Gastropod, whole shell, conical shape
Species
Conus textile
Shell Type
Gastropod, whole shell, conical shape
Family
Conidae (Cone Snail family)
Size
Approximately 2.5 to 3 inches in length, which is average for an adult specimen of this species. Adults typically range from 2 to 6 inches.
Color & Pattern
Intricate tent-like or lace-like pattern of white triangular spots overlaying a rich brown to golden-yellow reticulated background, resembling fine textile weave.
Rarity
Common, though pristine live-collected specimens or fine beach specimens are always valued by collectors.
Habitat
Shallow tropical marine waters, typically found in intertidal to subtidal zones, burrowed in sandy substrates, under coral rocks, or within reef platforms.
Geographic Range
Indo-Pacific region, spanning from the Red Sea and East Africa across the Indian Ocean to Polynesia and Australia.
Description
A classic, solid cone-shaped shell featuring a low spire and a long, narrow aperture. The surface is smooth to the touch, adorned with a highly intricate tent-like or net-like pattern that gives the shell its common name.
Key Features
Inversely conical body whorl, low flat-topped spire, narrow aperture running the length of the shell, and a distinctive tent-and-net color pattern.
Collector Value
Highly desirable for shell collections due to its iconic status among cone shells, though common enough that standard specimens are reasonably priced.
Condition Notes
The specimen appears to be a good-to-fine grade beach shell or slightly worn collector piece, exhibiting natural color patterns with some minor surface weathering and a slightly blunted apex.
Interesting Facts
Like all cone snails, Conus textile is venomous and uses a modified, harpoon-like radular tooth to inject potent neurotoxins into prey. It is sometimes called the 'cloth-of-gold' and has historically been prized by advanced collectors.
Ecological Role
Carnivorous predatory mollusk feeding primarily on other marine snails and fish using a specialized venom apparatus. Important regulator of reef micro-habitats.
Similar Species
Conus archthalassus and Conus victoriae, which can be distinguished by subtle variations in the net-like pattern, spire height, and background coloration.
Beach Finding Tips
Look in tropical Indo-Pacific regions by turning over flat rocks and searching sandy pockets in shallow reef flats during extremely low tides. Exercise extreme caution as living cone snails are dangerous.