Cabbage Murex Shell, Rose Cabbage Murex Shell, Murex Brassica Shell
Busano Repollo
(Hexaplex brassica)

Cabbage Murex Shell, Hexaplex brassica: The Cabbage Murex Shell is a white shell with a beautiful pink color at the aperture and the edges of the varices that at times have three brown bands. They range in size from 3 to 8 inches with the size of the aperture between one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half inches.

Cabbage Murex Shells are only found at depths of up to 150 feet and range throughout the Sea of Cortez and along the coast of the Mexican mainland south to Guatemala.

The Cabbage Murex Shell is quite similar to the smaller Pink Mouthed Murex, Phyllonotus erthrostomus, but has a distinctive pattern of spines.

The shells are sold commercially for use in aquariums, as they make excellent homes for crabs, and to shell collectors.

The Cabbage Murex Shell is a member of the Muricidae Family, a very large family, found worldwide, with approximately 100 genera and more than 700 species. The shells vary in size from one-fourth inch to ten inches high. The shell may be elongated and broadly ovate to almost round. Some have long spines, others strong axial ribs, and some species are smooth. All have a stout, horny, oval operculum.

Murexes live on rocks or reefs and are carnivores, feeding on other gastropods as well as bivalves, barnacles, worms, coral, and other invertebrates. They attack their prey by boring holes utilizing the radula and a gland in the foot that secretes various fluids to help in the boring action. The sexes are separate. The female lays the fertilized eggs in horny capsules, fastening them to rocks or hard objects singly or in clusters.

Cabbage Murex Shell picture 1

Cabbage Murex Shell picture 2

Cabbage Murex Shell picture 3

Cabbage Murex Shell, Hexaplex brassica: Photos courtesy of John Snow.

Cabbage Murex Shell picture 4

Cabbage Murex Shell picture 5

Cabbage Murex Shell picture 6

Cabbage Murex Shell, Hexaplex brassica:  Donated to Mexfish.com by the commercial fishermen of the greater Los Cabos area, Baja California Sur, Mexico, June 2007. Size 12 cm (5.0 inches). Description and photos courtesy of John Snow.

Mexico Fishing Home Page < Marine Life Flora and Fauna Photo List < Cabbage Murex Shell

Copyright ©