Strombus sinuatus

by Paul Merril

Strombus sinuatus Lightfoot, 1786. This shell, although not uncommon in the Indo-Pacific region, should be considered uncommon to rare here on Guam. This is a large shell, 106mm in length. The deep dark, purple aperture, gently undulating outer lip, and chocolate brown coloration make this one of the most beautiful of all Strombus.

I have found Stombus sinuatus at night off the Glass Breakwater at about 40 feet. I was searching a new locality, a sany area near big boulders. There was a leafy type moss over most of the area, making it difficult to find any shells. I found my first Strombus sinuatus, a crabbed specimen, on sand out away from the moss. In the daytime, I suspect the shells must hide in the moss. On a return trip to the same area, I was able to find a live specimen.

Other shells have been found along the Orote Cliffs, near large boulders, suggesting that they hide under rocks there.