Distinguishing Characteristics |
Gastropod (1 shell); shell spiral in shape, smooth with fine, oblique axial lines, fragile, wider than tall; color deep blue to purple on bottom, lighter blue on top, darker at whorl junction, sometimes with a lighter stripe at the very base; body whorl large, wide, angular; spire short; aperture large, wide, bottom edge is horizontal, edge of inner lip of (part of the columella) is almost vertical, no operculum, curved backwards; no siphonal canal; when live, will be attached to a bubble raft at the aperture. |
Similar Species |
Other snails in this family are more inflated (globose) than the common janthina. |
Habitat |
Gulf, floats upside down on the surface of the water using bubble rafts |
Maximum Size |
4 cm (1 1/2 in) width |
Other Common Names |
common purple sea snail |
Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
More common in the spring. |