Many shells have a dormant stage from time to time, either by the cold water or
lack of food supply. That is the time when other marine life can attach. I've
seen it from time to time, but it is not common in cowries. Helmets and
Tritons can usually clean or knock anything off with their powerful radula
sheath. It can reach any part of the shell. " Observations in an aquarium for
over quite a few years." I have slides of a Charonia variegata cleaning
itself.
Bob
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