About Hexaplex fulvescens (G.B.Sowerby II, 1834)
Shells of Hexaplex fulvescens grow to between 60 and 223 millimetres (2.4 to 8.8 inches) in size. Individuals of this species are massive, spiny sea snails, and are the largest muricid snails found in the Western Atlantic, which is reflected in their common name. Their shells have several straight or bifurcate spines arranged in 6 to 10 radial rows that sit along spiraling ridges. The outer surface of the shell may be whitish, grayish, or pale brown. The aperture is oval with crenulate edges, and the siphonal canal is short. This species is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, where it occurs from North Carolina to Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is also found in the Gulf of Mexico, ranging from Florida west to Texas. Hexaplex fulvescens is a quite uncommon species of sea snail. It inhabits depths from 0 to 80 meters; it is most commonly found in deeper waters, but can also occur in shallow inshore waters. Commercial scallop fishing operations based out of Florida sometimes trawl this species at depths of 100 to 120 feet.
