Luria isabella (Linnaeus, 1758)
Isabella cowry, 45mm

Luria isabella is a common subtidal species in Hawaii and throughout the Indo-Pacific. On some reefs, it is the most common cowry observed. On deeper reefs (greater than 20m), small specimens sometimes called by the subspecific name controversa or even controversa atriceps can be commonly found, although the subspecies is not generally recognized. In the first photo below, a specimen was found in a cave among Balanophyllia corals during the day.

The next one was in a cave at night with Tubastraea corals. The cowry's black mantle is partly visible.

The large specimen immediately below measures 44.3mm.

The tiny one below is only 11.1mm long.

The 44.3mm and 11.1mm specimens shown together.

We have also seen Luria isabella in the Marshall Islands.

Created 25 July 2010
Updated 25 December 2020

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