Gold Ring Cowrie – Cypraea annulus

Common name: Gold Ring Cowrie
Scientific name: Cypraea annulus
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Adult size: 2–3 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore / Grazer
Minimum tank size: 60 L+
Reef safe: With caution

Overview

The Gold Ring Cowrie (Cypraea annulus) is a small and attractive marine snail known for its smooth, glossy shell marked with a distinctive golden ring. During the day it often hides within rockwork, becoming more active at night.

It adds both subtle beauty and natural grazing activity to reef aquariums.

Behavior & Compatibility

Peaceful and generally safe with most reef inhabitants.

Primarily nocturnal.

May occasionally graze on soft corals or zoanthids if natural food sources are limited, so monitoring is recommended.

Feeding

Naturally feeds on:
• Microalgae
• Film algae
• Biofilm
• Detritus

In very clean systems, supplemental feeding with algae sheets may be necessary.

Care Notes

• Provide ample rockwork with hiding spaces
• Stable reef parameters recommended
• Avoid housing with predators such as larger wrasses or pufferfish

A small, decorative grazing snail best suited for established reef aquariums with natural algae growth.