Silver-Mouth Turban

Turbo argyrostomus

Silver-mouth turban is a species of sea snail that can grow up to 9 cm in length. It has a solid, large shell with an ovate-pointed shape, displaying a cream color with irregular greenish and brown maculations, and distinct black lines. The apex of the shell is typically pink, and it features six whorls that are convex, with the upper two being smooth and the lower ones having spiral and radiate striations. The body whorl is characterized by 20 distinct spiral ribs and about thirteen lirae, with the aperture being pearly white or brownish tinted inside. This species is found in the Red Sea and the tropical Indo-West Pacific, including areas off Aldabra, Chagos, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Andaman Islands, and Australia. It inhabits coral reef areas and is typically located at depths ranging from 0 to 30 meters, often found on rocks in moderately exposed habitats and lagoons. Silver-mouth turban is one of the most frequently collected turban shell species in the tropical Southwest Pacific, primarily used as food, while its shell is also utilized for making buttons. Silver-mouth turban breeds through a process where embryos develop into planktonic trocophore larvae before maturing into juvenile veligers. Encounters with this species during dives can be common, as they are often seen in their natural habitats along coral reefs and lagoons. Conservation status is not evaluated, but they are generally considered to be common in their range.