West Indian star-shell
Astraea tecta
(Lightfoot, 1786)
Description:
Seen from the side, the shell is almost triangular. From the underside, it looks circular, with a flat bottom. Along the edge of the underside, small rounded knobs are present.
It is vegetarian.
Size: the shell can reach up to 6 cm, usually 4 cm.
Habitat:
Can be found in seagrass beds and on reefs. Can be hidden in cracks en crevices.
Depth: ranges from 2 m down to 10 m.
Distribution:
Common all over the Caribbean.
Remarks:
In most countries it is illegal to bring back these shells from holidays.