The conus vidua, often mistaken for a form of the Conus bandanus or marmoreus due to the similarity of pattern but when one takes a closer look, the difference becomes very apparent. Furthermore their localities cross therefore not even being subspecies of each other.

The biggest is the Conus bandanus, growing above 130mm on giant specimens and averagely always bigger than the marmoreus. Spire higher and two wide bands with overlapping large/small tent patterns. The vidua looks somewhat in between the 2 and the white and black bandings between the tents are even more apparent and orange specimens are more common for this species than the marmoreus and bandanus (both very rare in orange).

However, heat does make the marmoreus and bandanus orange and there are many fakes for sale. In the vidua, the orange is very dark and prominent. Our friend Jacky Suduiraut has live pictures to prove of the authenticity of the orange form. So far found mainly in the Philippines and Sulu seas. Giants above 70mm are known but hardly over 100mm.