Description

Tiger Cowry (Cypraea tigris)

Description and Natural Habitat
Appearance: The Tiger Cowry has a distinctive, highly polished shell that is typically white or golden-brown with scattered dark spots, giving it its “tiger” name. The mantle, a fleshy fold of tissue, can extend to completely cover and protect the shell. This mantle is often mottled with a pattern of dark blotches and short, unbranched papillae. The snail itself has a soft body and a muscular foot for movement.

Size: They are one of the largest species of cowries, with adults typically reaching 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) in length, and can sometimes grow even larger.

Distribution: Native to the Indo-Pacific region, they are found throughout the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including Hawaii.

Habitat: They inhabit coral reefs, rocky areas, and sandy bottoms, from the intertidal zone down to depths of about 40 meters. They are nocturnal, spending the day hidden in crevices, under rocks, or in coral colonies.

Diet and Behaviour
Diet: The Tiger Cowry is a grazer and a scavenger. In the wild, its diet consists of algae, sponges, and other encrusting invertebrates. They use a file-like organ called a radula to scrape food from surfaces. In an aquarium, they will also scavenge on meaty food scraps.

Behaviour: They are known for their secretive, nocturnal nature. During the day, they are usually hidden from view, and it’s at night that they emerge to forage. In an aquarium, they may become more active if provided with dim, moonlight-style lighting.

Aquarium Care
Keeping a Tiger Cowry in a home aquarium requires specific considerations due to its size and habits.

Tank Size: A minimum tank size of 380 liters (100 gallons) is recommended. The tank needs to be large enough to provide ample foraging space and to house a stable reef environment.

Water Parameters: Like most marine invertebrates, they are sensitive to poor water quality.

Temperature: 22-28C (72-82F)

Specific Gravity: 1.023-1.025

pH: 8.1-8.4

They are intolerant of high nitrates and any copper-based medications.

Substrate and Habitat: A sandy bottom is not necessary, but plenty of live rock with nooks and crannies is crucial for them to hide in during the day.

Tank Mates: While they are generally peaceful, their large size and weight can make them clumsy. They may accidentally knock over unsecured rockwork or corals. They can also prey on some soft corals, sponges, and anemones, especially as they get older. Therefore, they are best suited for FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) tanks or large, mature reef tanks with robust, securely-placed corals. Avoid keeping them with predators like triggerfish or pufferfish, which will eat them.

Conservation Status and Threats
While considered one of the more common cowry species in the Indo-Pacific, their populations have faced significant threats in some areas. The primary threats include:

Over-collection: Their beautiful shells are highly sought after by collectors and for the souvenir trade, leading to over-harvesting in many locations.

Habitat Destruction: The destruction of coral reef habitats, often from destructive fishing methods like dynamite fishing, also poses a major threat to their survival.

In some regions, such as Singapore, the species is considered “Endangered” or “Vulnerable” due to its rarity and restricted habitat.