Description

The Tiger Cowrie Snail (Cypraea Tigris) has an egg-shaped, spotted, glossy shell and is in high demand for the rock aquarium. The Tiger Cowrie Snail is found on the ocean floor in the Indo-Pacific region, from the eastern coast of Africa to the waters of Micronesia and Polynesia, the Coral Sea and around the Philippines. Along the Australian Coast it is found from Northern New South Wales to northern Western Australia, as well as Lord Howe Island, and along the east coast of Africa including Madagascar. A Tiger Cowrie Snail differs in color depending upon geographical location, but in general, is a lustrous white and brown mottled coloration, while its mantle will appear like a fingerprint of black and gray, with many short papillae over the surface.

In the wild, the Tiger Cowrie Snail can be found under rocks or resting on soft corals during the day, foraging for food mostly at night. The Tiger Cowrie prefers a rock aquarium with hiding places. While small, it will eat some algae and scavenge for scraps, but as an adult, it will eat some anemones, sponges, and soft corals.