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Updated 12/21/2025

Family Pisaniidae & Prodotiidae

Tropical Whelks

Tropical whelks are carnivorous predators that drill into bivalves and snails with a modified radula.  Formerly lumped within Family Buccinidae.

 

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Ecmanis ignea

FLAME PISANIA

 

 Prodotia iostoma

LAVENDER WHELK

 
Engina albocincta

WHITEBAND ENGINA

 

 Engina alveolata

HONEYCOMB ENGINA

 
Caducifer decapitatus

DECAPITATED WHELK, juv

 

 Caducifer decapitatus

DECAPITATED WHELK

 
Sinetectula carduus

GRAIN WHELK

 

  

 

Family Colubrariidae

Vampire or Dwarf tritons

Vampire tritons have a long flexible proboscis used to suck bodily fluid from sleeping fishes.  They are quite rare and remain hidden in sandy crevices during the day.

 

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Colubraria obscura

OBSCURE DWARF TRITON

 

 Colubraria tortuosa

TWISTED DWARF TRITON

 
Colubraria muricata

MACULATED DWARF TRITON