Brown Bubble Shell

Bulla quoyii

Bulla quoyii is a marine gastropod characterized by its thin, yellowish-brown shell, which can measure between 35 and 55 mm in size. The shell has an elongated to ovate-quadrangular shape, featuring anterior spiral grooves and a wider front side. The aperture is white and narrows at the top, while the spire consists of six or seven whorls with raised striae. The periostracum can vary in color from greenish to orange, and the animal's body is a very light beige with reddish areas around the head shield. This species is found in the North Island of New Zealand, southern Australia, northern Tasmania, and the Kermadec Islands, typically inhabiting sub to intertidal areas with sandy or rocky bottoms at depths ranging from 0 to 20 meters. As a grazer, Bulla quoyii primarily feeds on algae, occasionally consuming Ulva and the film layer of various sea grasses. This species is hermaphroditic, laying ovoid eggs that are protected by a jelly-like layer, with the eggs appearing reddish-orange. Encountering Bulla quoyii while diving often involves spotting its distinctive shell on the substrate, where it blends into its surroundings.