Conus vexillum
Conus vexillum, common name the vexillum cone or the flag cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and their allies.
These snails are predatory and venomous. They are capable of stinging humans, therefore alive ones should be handled carefully or not at all.
Description
The size of the shell varies between. The shell is large and rather thin. The spire is striate. The color of the shell is yellowish or chestnut, with an irregular white central band, sometimes obsolete, and occasionally another interrupted band at the shoulder. The spire is variegated with white and chestnut broad flames, the latter often overlaying also the lighter chestnut of the body whorl.
Distribution
The species is found across the entire Indo-Pacific from Natal to Hawaii and French Polynesia and Japan to Australia. The subspecies Conus vexillium sumatrensis is restricted to the northwest Indian Ocean.
Juveniles of this species are present on intertidal benches whereas adults will occur along subtidal reefs to about. Individuals that are present around the Hawaiian Islands occur between. There have been sightings of this species in shallow water, lagoon pinnacles, sand, sand with gravel, among weed or rocks and under dead coral. It is said to be able to withstand rough waters. The species feeds on eunicid polychaetes.