West Indian Top Shell

Cittarium pica

• Group: Other
• Typical depth: 0–7 m
• Max size: 18 cm

This large topsnail, called whelk or burgao across the Caribbean, reaches about 18 centimetres and clings to rocks and shell rubble in shallow water. It feeds at night on algae and detritus, and heavy harvesting for its meat has wiped out or thinned many local populations.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Mollusca › Gastropoda › Trochida › Tegulidae › Cittarium

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 419449.