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Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Naticidae
Eggwhite moon snail
Polinices albumen
Family Naticidae
updated Aug 2020

Where seen? This flat moon snail with a U-shaped depression on the underside is often seen on Cyrene Reef on the sand bar. It has also been seen in a few of our other sandy shores. Elsewhere, it is found in clean sandy bottoms from shallow subtidal area to a depth of about 70 m. It is also known as Neverita albumen.

Features: 4-6cm. Shell smooth glossy, thick heavy, semi-spherical (wider than long), very flat with an almost flat spire. Shell pattern white at the spire, uniform colour elsewhere: white, cream, pale yellow to brown and orangey brown. On the underside, a deep U-shaped depression. Operculum smooth, made of a thin horn-like material, reddish or yellowish brown. Body huge, opaque white and when expanded it does resemble the albumen of a hard boiled egg. Tentacles short, white.

Cyrene Reef, Jun 12
Human uses: Where common, it is harvested for food and for the shell. In Thailand, commonly collected by fishing nets from depths of 2 to 10 m. Known also to be sold as food in the markets of Kyushu (Japan).

Changi, Jan 10

Cyrene Reef, Jul 12

Eggwhite moon snails on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Changi, Aug 18
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

Changi, Apr 09
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.

Changi, Apr 09
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.


Cyrene Reef, Nov 17
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on facebook.

Links

References

  • Tan Siong Kiat and Henrietta P. M. Woo, 2010 Preliminary Checklist of The Molluscs of Singapore (pdf), Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore.
  • Abbott, R. Tucker, 1991. Seashells of South East Asia. Graham Brash, Singapore. 145 pp.
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