Extensively decorated by numerous foliaceous spines, the “Spectral Murex” is a famed signature Caribbean muricid ranging from Greater Antilles to central Brazil.

Due to the brilliant spines and attractive colouration, its shell is an ever-so-popular collector’s item. Somewhat variable in spine development, but generally it is instantly recognisable. Its colouration is greatly variable, but bright orange (shown) and reddish brown are the two most common variations.

A carnivorous and predatory gastropod, it inhabits rocky to sandy bottoms of shallow water around 5~50m deep. Although typical shell length is around 100mm, extremely large specimens are known to exceed 165mm.

Once a highly sought-after rarity, today it is only an uncommon species even in choice condition; only large specimens in excess of 140mm are still quite rare. A synonym is Murex argo Clench & Perez Farfante, 1945, which is a replacement name for M. imbricatus Higgins & Marrat, 1978 as it is a junior homonym of M. imbaricatus Brocchi, 1814. – Adapted from Chong Chen’s post.

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