Common name: Flamingo Tongue Snail

General information

The Flamingo Tongue Snail, Cyphoma gibbosum, is a small but strikingly colored marine gastropod known for its vibrant and spotted mantle tissue which covers its shell. This species is often found in the tropical Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the northern coast of South America. The shell itself is rather plain, but when the snail is alive, its mantle extends over the shell, displaying a beautiful pattern that makes it a desirable species for marine aquariums.

Care

Flamingo Tongue Snails are relatively easy to care for in a well-established reef aquarium. They require stable water conditions and benefit from the presence of live rock, which provides a natural source of food in the form of algae and microorganisms. It's important to note that these snails feed on soft corals, particularly gorgonians, so they should only be introduced to aquariums where this feeding behavior will not be detrimental to the coral population.

Reproduction

In the wild, Flamingo Tongue Snails are oviparous, laying egg capsules on the underside of coral branches. In captivity, breeding is less common, but with a stable environment and ample food supply, it is possible to observe their reproductive behavior.

Symbiosis

While not involved in symbiosis in the traditional sense, Flamingo Tongue Snails have a commensal relationship with the gorgonian corals they feed on. The snails benefit from the coral as a food source, but they typically do not harm the coral if their population is kept in check.

Habitat

Flamingo Tongue Snails are typically found in shallow coral reefs, often associated with gorgonian corals. They are usually seen at depths ranging from the surface down to about 80 feet.