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Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Muricidae
Firebrand murex snail
Chicoreus torrefactus*
Family Muricidae
updated Oct 10

Where seen? This large but well camouflaged snail is usually found on boulders, rocks and hard surfaces near coral reefs at the low water mark. Also sometimes seen on sandy areas. Elsewhere, it is found among rocks or on muddy sand bottoms near rocks and under corals.

Features: 5-7cm long. Shell thick with rows of fronds or spikes along the length of the shell. There are usually three spikes along the siphonal canal. The shell opening is white often with yellow or orange lips. Operculum is made of a horn-like material.

What does it eat? Like other drills in the Family Muricidae, this snail can also drill through shells. According to Tan, they have been seen to feed extensively on the venus clam Gafrarium (Family Veneridae) by drilling a neat hole through the shell.

Human uses: It is frequently collected for food and its shell used for shellcraft. In some places, populations have been greatly reduced due to over-collection.

Tanah Merah, Aug 09

Firebrand murex on Singapore shores

Eating a Bazillion snail?
Tanah Merah, Jan 11

Pulau Senang, Aug 10

Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his flickr.

Tanah Merah, Dec 10


Tanah Merah, Dec 09

more photos of firebranch murex snails on Singapore shores

*Species are difficult to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.

Links

References

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