Systematic Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Neogastropoda
Family: Volutidae
Genus: Melo
Species: Melo melo
(Lightfoot, 1786)
Chinese name: ¤jÀYÁ³
Characteristic Features

Globose with spire and protoconch hidden beneath the body whorl, the shoulders of which meet at the apex; no suture or any spines or coronations. Inflated body whorl; almost semicircular, simple outer lip; arched columella with four plaits. Yellow or white, with sparse small brown blotches in two spiral bands; aperture cream; periostracum medium brown.

 
Habitat

Found in 10 m depth of sandy or muddy bottom.

 
Size

~ 110 - 275 mm (body length).

 
Distribution

Strait of Malacca to South China Sea - South Asia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong.

 
Commercial
fishery		 Moderately important. Its attractive coloration gives it an additional ornamental use.