Top Shell or Trochus

Description:

Top Shells or Trochus are mostly Top-Shaped and have horney operculums.. This little shell was about half inch in size and adhered to the rock in tidal rockpools. In the 2nd photo one can see the mollusk inside.

Habitat:

Rocky shoreline along the southern coast of Australia. usually found on rocks, stones, or pilings between high- and low-tide marks;

Notes:

The Trochidae, common name top snails, are a taxonomic family of very small to large sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Vetigastropoda This species can be found in the littoral and sublittoral zone on rocky shores and piers, usually on brown algae of the genus Fucus. Minimum recorded depth is 0 m. Maximum recorded depth is 110 m. The habitat defines its color. On sheltered shores it has a lighter and uniform color (yellow, brown, orange or olive green). On exposed shores its color is darker and chequered. wiki...