Flamingo Tongue Snail

Image: laszlo-photo via Flickr

We saw the Gorgonian and said hello to their little friends. This time, we learn that those magnificent corals don't have it all their own way.

Image: Nick Hobgood via Flickr

Cyphoma gibbosum is the Flamingo Tongue Snail. I've never seen a flamingo's tongue so I couldn't comment. Although I for one would be worried if my tongue was all spotty like that.

Image: mentalblock_DMD via Flickr

Reaching scarcely more than 2.5 cm (an inch) long, it's the colours that make this snail so eye-catching. In fact, the actual shell is smooth, shiny and plain, the patterns come from a mantle that covers the shell. That's pretty strange for most snails, but the norm for Cowries and Cowry Allies. The Flamingo Tongue Snail is in the Cowry Allies family, also known as False Cowries. It all sounds like Irish Mafia to me.

Image: tab2space via Flickr

The mantle can be moved aside when the Flamingo Tongue Snail feels threatened.

Image: laszlo-photo via Flickr
Brown feeding scar in the wake of the snail

They eat corals.

Image: mentalblock_DMD via Flickr

Slowly gliding across the surface, they leave a trail of destruction as they consume the living polyps. Flamingo Tongue Snails even come from the west Atlantic, including the Gorgonian heartland in the Caribbean. The damage they're capable of is quite shocking.

Image: laszlo-photo via Flickr
Coral's skeleton exposed by snails

They might even lay their eggs in that terrible scar. Tiny larvae hatch just over a week later and float as plankton for a while. Then they'll drop to the floor and find some more coral to eat.

Image: mentalblock_DMD via Flickr

The indignity!

Image: mentalblock_DMD via Flickr

Pretty though!