The specific name amphora is the Latin word for vase, derived from the Greek amphoreus. This species distribution is restricted to the tropical southwest Pacific, from southern Indonesia and New Guinea to the northern half of Australia. This large sea snail is known to live in littoral and shallow sublittoral zones. It usually dwells in muddy bottoms at a maximum depth of nearly 10 m.

The maximum shell length of this species is up to 500 mm, usually around 300 mm. This large shell has a bulbous or nearly oval outline. Its columella has three easily distinguishable oblique folds. The aperture is wide and near as long as the shell itself, and there is no operculum. It has a very large, inflated and posteriorly expanded body whorl.

One of its most striking characteristics is the shoulder with prominent and curved hollow spines. These spines tend to become obsolete in later stages of growth. The spire is usually very short.

The color of the Melo amphora shell is said to be highly variable. It is commonly mainly coloured brown, white, or pale orange. It usually presents spiral darker brown banding. The interior is glazed, and is commonly coloured cream or pinky orange.

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Melo amphora – Big and great quality & pattern for the size!

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Melo amphora – dark exceptional pattern!

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Melo amphora – Giant, 325mm and fantastic dark pattern from Sulawesi!

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Melo amphora – Giant, 344mm and fantastic dark pattern from Sulawesi!

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Melo amphora – Great quality & superb pattern!

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Melo amphora – Huge, inflated, 378mm and fantastic dark pattern from Sulawesi! Biggest so far!

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Melo amphora – Large banded!

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Melo amphora – Nice bandings!

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Melo amphora – nice patterned juvenile

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Melo amphora – nice patterned juvenile

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Melo amphora – nice patterned juvenile

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Melo amphora – nice patterned juvenile

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Melo amphora – Superb dark pattern!

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Melo amphora – superb pattern!

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Melo amphora – very beautiful pattern with some blues!

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Melo amphora – very beautiful pattern!

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Melo amphora – very beautiful pattern!

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Melo amphora – Very dark!

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Melo amphora – Very nice pattern

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Melo amphora – Very nice shape

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Melo amphora – Very uncommon brown colour!