The Dusky Cone, Conasprella stearnsii (Conrad, 1869) is one of three locally found species of cone snails, family Conidae. The species reaches about 25 mm (one inch), with the shell spire usually encompassing 1/3 of the shell length, and the entire shell is covered with raised spiral lines. The color pattern on the shell is very variable, usually with combinations of brown markings of different intensities set against a whitish background. Most cone snails feed on marine worms, and the Dusky Cone is no exception to that.
The Dusky Cone, Conasprella stearnsii, from Sanibel. Photos by José H. Leal.