Common name: Egg Cowrie

General information

The Egg Cowrie, Gomophia watsoni, is a striking marine gastropod known for its smooth, glossy, and egg-shaped shell which is usually white or cream-colored. The mantle of the Egg Cowrie is black with white spots and can envelop the entire shell, making it look like a spotted sea slug when it is active. During the day, it tends to hide in crevices or under corals, revealing its true shell only when it feels safe or at night when it comes out to feed.

Care

Egg Cowries are nocturnal and require a well-established reef tank with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. They are not considered difficult to keep but do require stable water conditions and a tank with low nitrate levels. They feed on soft corals, sponges, and tunicates, so they may not be suitable for a reef tank with a variety of soft coral species.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Egg Cowries involves the female laying eggs in a gelatinous mass, which she attaches to the underside of rocks or corals. The larvae are planktonic before settling down and metamorphosing into the adult form.

Habitat

Gomophia watsoni is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to the central Pacific. It prefers shallow waters, typically from the intertidal zone down to about 30 meters deep, where it can find its preferred food sources.