Hi Bob,

I noticed the slow rise and quick descent behavior (repeatedly) in the
Cymatium parthenopeum I found on the sandflats in North Carolina. It was
entirely exposed in the air by water's edge when I found it but this
behavior was about an hour later when it was still exposed.

David Kirsh
Durham, NC

> From: Bob Abela <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2003 18:14:06 +1000
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Conus aureus observations
>
> Dear Conch-L members,
>
> Hello, my name is Bob Abela. Having recently relocated from Sonoma,
> California to Guam, I'm enjoying the transition from infrequent
> cold-water diving to frequent tropical diving. I've recently set up a
> few small aquariums for mollusks. In one, I have a "pet" Conus aureus
> that I'm interested in photographing, particularly to record its
> predation habits. The main problem has been that its nocturnal. I've
> offered a few small "feeder" mollusks and they are often consumed before
> I have a chance to get it on film.
>
> Recently, I placed a Murex laciniatus in the tank, which the C. aureus
> showed interest in. On one occasion, I watched the cone try to dislodge
> the murex by attempting to wedge itself between the Murex's aperture and
> the rock it was resting upon. The murex clamped down hard and, in this
> instance, the tactic failed.
>
> On a seperate occasion, I observed the cone would intake a large volume
> of water through its extended siphon, slowly raising its body as it did
> so. Then expel it, presumeably through its rostrum (difficult to tell).
> This was forceful and quick, pulling its shell back down as it did so.
> It resulted in stirring sand in the immediate vicinity of the murex
> which was resting at the edge of the sand and the base of a rock. This
> continued for perhaps one-half hour and then the cone resumed roving
> about. I assume this was intended to irritate and perhaps dislodge the
> murex. The murex clamped down the entire time.
>
> If anyone else has observed similar behaviors, I'd sure like to know
> about it.
>
> A day later, I did find a nice clean murex resting bottoms up on the
> sand, the operculum resting by its side. The animal was completely
> consumed. The aureus rested for quite a while, exposed on the surface of
> the sand, not even bothering to bury itself during daylight hours, as is
> typical.
>
> By the way, the Murex laciniatus is now a well-preserved specimen for my
> collection. As for my pet Conus, it's doing just fine, had 'him' for
> about three months now. Not a gem, a couple of large breaks on the body
> whorl. Large though, ~57mm. Maybe it's time for a pet
> name...suggestions?
>
> You can view an okay close-up of the cone at:
> http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/bobsonguam/vwp?.dir=/Public&.dnm=close-up+
> of+Conus+aureus.jpg&.view=t
> Hope the link works! I intend to get some better shots in the very near
> future.
>
> Bob Abela
> Tamuning, Guam
> [log in to unmask]