Commercial top shell (Tectus niloticus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Tectus niloticus
- Common name
- Commercial top shell
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Tegulidae
- Genus
- Tectus
- Size
- 10–16 cm
- Depth
- 0–10 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, grazer
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Tectus niloticus reaches 16 cm. Gastropod with classic distinctive conical pyramid shell body, very rough exterior beige-red with tubercles, interior with bright white-pink mother-of-pearl. Lives from 0 to 10 m on coral and rocky reefs of entire Indo-Pacific. Listed LC but severe local overfishing for mother-of-pearl (buttons, jewelry, inlays) and consumption. Herbivore grazing algae. Important contributor to reef landscape. Discreet macro photo subject. Formerly Trochus niloticus.
Photo of Commercial top shell
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Commercial top shell?
- Commercial top shell (Tectus niloticus) reaches 10–16 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Commercial top shell?
- Commercial top shell is found between 0–10 m deep.
- Is the Commercial top shell dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Commercial top shell?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Commercial top shell?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Similar species
- Aliger gigas - Queen conch
- Chromodoris magnifica - Magnificent chromodoris
- Phorcus turbinatus - Turbinate monodont
- Octopus vulgaris - Common octopus
- Hypselodoris picta - Painted hypselodoris
- Felimida purpurea - Purple doris
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 449924)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4615615)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia