Tiger Cowrie (Cyprae Tigris)

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Assorted, Black, Tan, White

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : With Caution

Water Conditions : 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025

Max. Size : 4"

Origin : Indo-Pacific

Family : Cypraeidae

Supplements : Calcium, Trace Elements

Cypraea Tigris, commonly known as the Tiger Cowrie, is a species of cowry, a large sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cypraeidae, the cowries. 

The Tiger Cowrie has an egg-shaped, spotted, glossy shell and is in high demand for the rock aquarium. It differs in color depending upon geographical location. While it does not have an operculum to shut when it retracts its mantle into its shell, the opening is lined with "threatening" tooth-like structures. Normally, the mantle will completely cover its shell unless it feels threatened. This helps it keep its lustrous white and brown mottled coloration, while its mantle will appear like a fingerprint of black and gray, with many short papillae over the surface. This is a nocturnal species that prefers to stay hidden during the day, e.g. among rocks or sponges.

The Tiger Cowrie prefers a rock aquarium with hiding places.

The Tiger Cowrie is non-aggressive and non-venomous and can be kept with peaceful fish and invertebrates. Avoid housing it with aggressive and rough surfaced creatures since they may injure the soft mantle. The Tiger cowrie is considered reef safe, with caution. As it becomes larger, it may topple or damage corals as it moves around in the aquarium. 

It needs low nitrate levels and will not tolerate copper-based medications.

While small, it will eat some algae and scavenge for scraps, but as an adult, it will eat some anemones, sponges, and soft corals, and is best housed with starfish, sea urchins, and tubeworms in the reef aquarium. The diet of a large Tiger Cowrie should be supplemented with pieces of fish and mussel.

Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 4"