About Conus vexillum Gmelin, 1791
Conus vexillum Gmelin, 1791 has a shell that measures between 27 and 186 millimetres (1.1 and 7.3 inches) long. The shell is large and relatively thin, with a striate spire. The shell’s base color is yellowish or chestnut, with an irregular white central band that is sometimes absent. Occasionally, there is a second interrupted white band at the shoulder. The spire is variegated with broad white and chestnut markings; chestnut markings also often cover the lighter chestnut coloring of the body whorl. This species is found throughout the entire Indo-Pacific region, ranging from Natal to Hawaii and French Polynesia, and from Japan to Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia). The subspecies Conus vexillum sumatrensis is only found in the northwest Indian Ocean. Juvenile Conus vexillum live on intertidal benches, while adults live along subtidal reefs down to around 30 metres (98 ft) deep. Populations found near the Hawaiian Islands live between 50 and 70 metres (160 and 230 ft) deep. The species has also been spotted in shallow water, on lagoon pinnacles, on sand and sand mixed with gravel, among seaweed or rocks, and under dead coral. It can tolerate rough water conditions. This species feeds on eunicid polychaetes.
