The common name turban snail presumably refers to the shell’s similarity in appearance to a turban. However, the scientific name Turbinidae is based on the genus name Turbo, which is Latin for spinning top, a child’s toy. The word turbine has a similar derivation.

Turbinidae have a strong, thick calcareous operculum readily distinguishing them from the somewhat similar Trochidae or top snails, which have a corneous operculum. This strong operculum serves as a passive defensive structure against predators that try to enter by way of the aperture or that would break the shell at the outer lip. Turbans and top shells are very common in the aquarium trade for their efficiency in clearing algae.

The star shells are unique in this group with a flattened shell and long hollow spines, presumably due to their deep sea habitat in soft mud. The astralium have sometimes very brilliant operculums with bright blues, pinks and red that look better than the actual shell itself.

Some grow really huge and heavy namely Turbo jourdani and Turbo marmoratus with shell lengths of over 200mm and weighting more than 2kgs! A favourite family of mine.

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Astraea heliotropium (Sunburst star turban)
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Astraea heliotropium (Sunburst star turban)

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Astralium calcar (Wheel-like star shell)
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Astralium calcar (Wheel-like star shell)

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Astralium rhodostomum (Rosemouth star shell)
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Astralium rhodostomum (Rosemouth star shell)

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Astralium tentorium
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Astralium tentorium

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Bolma bartschi (Bartsch's bolma)
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Bolma bartschi (Bartsch's bolma)

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Bolma girgyllus (Girgyllus star shell)
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Bolma girgyllus (Girgyllus star shell)

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Bolma persica (Peach bolma)
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Bolma persica (Peach bolma)

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Guildfordia superba (Superb star turban)
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Guildfordia superba (Superb star turban)

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Guildfordia triumphans (Triumphant star turban)
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Guildfordia triumphans (Triumphant star turban)

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Guildfordia yoka (Yoka star turban)
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Guildfordia yoka (Yoka star turban)

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Lunella cinerea (Smooth moon turban)
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Lunella cinerea (Smooth moon turban)

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Lunella coronata (Crowned turban shell)
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Lunella coronata (Crowned turban shell)

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Lunella torquata (Twisted necklace turban)
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Lunella torquata (Twisted necklace turban)

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Lunella undulata (Wavy turban)
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Lunella undulata (Wavy turban)

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Megastraea turbanica (Turban star shell)
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Megastraea turbanica (Turban star shell)

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Megastraea undosa
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Megastraea undosa

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Pomaulax geummiae (Geum Mi's pomaulax)
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Pomaulax geummiae (Geum Mi's pomaulax)

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Turbo bruneus (Brown dwarf turban)
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Turbo bruneus (Brown dwarf turban)

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Turbo chrysostomus (Gold-mouth turban)
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Turbo chrysostomus (Gold-mouth turban)

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Turbo cornutus (Horned turban)
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Turbo cornutus (Horned turban)

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Turbo imperialis (Imperial turban)
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Turbo imperialis (Imperial turban)

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Turbo intercostalis (Ribbed turban)
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Turbo intercostalis (Ribbed turban)

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Turbo jourdani (Jourdan's turban)
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Turbo jourdani (Jourdan's turban)

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Turbo kenwilliamsi (Beautiful turban)
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Turbo kenwilliamsi (Beautiful turban)

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Turbo laminiferus (Squamose turban)
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Turbo laminiferus (Squamose turban)

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Turbo marmoratus (Great green turban)
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Turbo marmoratus (Great green turban)

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Turbo petholatus (Tapestry turban)
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Turbo petholatus (Tapestry turban)

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Turbo reevii (Reeve's turban)
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Turbo reevii (Reeve's turban)

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Turbo sarmaticus (South African turban)
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Turbo sarmaticus (South African turban)

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Turbo saxosus (Stony turban)
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Turbo saxosus (Stony turban)

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Turbo sparverius (Corded turban)
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Turbo sparverius (Corded turban)

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