Thank you for the information.  Currently I have three small cypraea
cervus and two c. zebra in my 90 gallon reef aquarium.  So far i haven't
observed any feeding, but I have a lot of caluerpa ssp. algae and other
algaes, and they will also have access to brine shrimp, and other
seafood that i feed the fish and corals.

Do you think the cowries would bother colonial anemones (zooanthus sp.)
or corals?

On a side note, does anyone know what conus mus eats?  I have several of
these as well that are confined to my aquarium's overflow and equipment
tank until I discover what their diet is.  In particular, i don't want
to risk the possibility of them stinging my tridacna ssp. clams.

Steve

Robert & Betty Lipe wrote:

>Dear Steve,  The two cowries that you mentioned will eat many things.  I
>have had both cowries in my aquarium for many years in the past.  I fed them
>coquinas Donax variablis.  They will also eat Pen shells Atrina rigida,
>algae,  Rabbit pellet food disolved in a small cockle.  They will eat almost
>any fresh raw seafood, but some of it will pollute your tank.  Like scallops
>or shrimp that is not eaten right away.  They will also eat anemones, so be
>carful with your favorite anemone.  I had a Cypraea cervus live 5 years, a
>Cypraea zebra 6 years, and a Cypraea arabica that lived 21 years eating the
>same thing.  I no longer have an aquarium, but I enjoyed it for many years
>and have seen shells do some strange things.
>
>Bob
>
>
>Please visit us at our Website: http://www.theshellstore.com
>Or at the shop at 348 Corey Ave
>St. Pete Beach, FL, 33706
>Phone: 727-360-0586
>Fax: 727-360-3668
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "TurtleSteve" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2003 12:05 PM
>Subject: cowrie diets?
>
>
>
>
>>Does anyone know the diet of Cypraea cervus or Cypraea zebra?  I have
>>been unable to find any information on the internet pertaining to this.
>>
>>thanks,
>>Steve
>>
>>
>
>
>