Cymatiidae

Cymatiidae is a family of medium to large predatory sea snails, commonly known as tritons or tun snails. These marine gastropod mollusks belong to the superfamily Tonnoidea. Cymatiids are characterized by their robust, often elaborately sculptured shells, which can be spindle-shaped or ovate. The shell aperture is typically elongated and narrow, with a prominent varix (a thickened rib) on the outer lip of the aperture. Many species exhibit a strong sculpture with axial ribs and spiral cords.

The family Cymatiidae is found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide. They inhabit a range of marine environments, from shallow intertidal zones to deeper offshore waters, often found on coral reefs, rocky shores, and sandy bottoms. Cymatiids are carnivorous predators, feeding primarily on other invertebrates such as bivalves, echinoderms (like starfish and sea urchins), and other gastropods. They use their radula, a ribbon-like structure with teeth, to bore into or rasp away at their prey.

Reproduction in Cymatiidae is typically sexual, with distinct male and female individuals. Eggs are usually laid in gelatinous masses or capsules, and the larval stages are planktonic, drifting in the ocean currents before settling to the seafloor to metamorphose into juvenile snails. Some well-known genera within Cymatiidae include Cymatium, Charonia, and Sassia. The shells of some larger species, particularly those in the genus Charonia (like the Giant Triton), have historically been used for making decorative objects or as ceremonial horns.