Tiger cowrie (Cypraea tigris) care guide

Group
Snails
Other names
Tiger cowry, Tiger cowrie snail
Family
Cypraeidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific from East Africa and Madagascar to Polynesia and Australia; reefs and nearby sand, 10–40 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
15 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
SG 1.023–1.026
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
no

Care

The tiger cowrie is one of the largest cowries, up to 15 cm long and heavy, with a glossy, egg-shaped shell that looks polished: white, pale blue-white or buff on top, densely spotted dark brown or black, sometimes with a blurred red line along the middle, and white underneath with a toothed slit-like opening. Its living mantle can spread over the whole shell, covered in small white-tipped projections, and is pulled back inside when it is disturbed. The Hawaiian form is a separate subspecies, Cypraea tigris schilderiana. Set-up: a large, mature tank with plenty of live rock and sand. The water figures are typical reef-tank guidance rather than from a source. It is mostly active at night. Reef safety: young cowries graze algae, but adults are carnivores that eat corals and other invertebrates, so it is not reef safe. It suits a fish-only or rock-only tank, or a large tank without corals or sponges you value. Its size also means it knocks over loose rock. Conservation: once common, it has become much scarcer through shell collecting and reef damage, and is listed as endangered in Singapore. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and read the label of any treatment, fertiliser or algae remover before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypraeatigris). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Juveniles eat algae. Adults eat corals, sponges and other invertebrates; the Hawaiian subspecies eats invasive sponges. In aquariums it will take meaty foods (prawn, mussel, fish), dried seaweed and algae, and grazes film and detritus.

Breeding

Sexes are separate. Cowries lay egg masses that the female guards; the larvae are planktonic. Not bred in home aquariums.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: adults eat corals, sponges and invertebrates. Usually ignored by fish, but triggers, puffers and large wrasses may attack it, and large hermit crabs can harass it. Keep with robust fish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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