This is the Rare-spined Murex (Murex trapa), a striking predatory sea snail belonging to the family Muricidae. Its ornate, spiny shell makes it a notable species in the Indo-Pacific region, where it is sometimes collected for food and the shell trade.

Location:
Indo-West Pacific, from Madagascar and Sri Lanka through Indonesia and the Philippines to Taiwan and southern Japan. Found on sandy seabeds from about 16 to 37 metres depth.

Average Size:
Shell length between 50 mm and 124 mm, with most individuals reaching around 100 mm.

Family:
Muricidae (Murex and Rock Snails)

Species:
Murex trapa

Shell Description:
The shell is fusiform with a tall spire and three rows of short spines on the body whorl. It is usually pale brown or grey with yellowish spines. The aperture is oval, white at the edge with a reddish-brown interior. The siphonal canal is straight, moderately long, and bears several small spines near its base.

Ecological Role:
A carnivorous predator feeding mainly on other molluscs and barnacles, using its proboscis to drill through shells.

Reproduction:
Separate sexes with internal fertilisation. Females produce clusters of egg capsules, which are attached to hard surfaces on the seabed, following the typical reproductive pattern of muricid snails.

Conservation Status:
Not currently evaluated on a global scale and not considered threatened overall. In some regions, however, populations may be vulnerable due to habitat loss, pollution, trampling, and over-collecting for food or shells.