Semicassis pyrum
Pupu Maeneene
Invertebrate
Mollusca
Gastropoda
Cassidae
The commonest helmet shell in NZ. It is fairly large and solid, and almost spherical. Often has a spiral rode of nodules on the shoulder of the shell. Coloured pale salmon pink or creamy brown with irregular pale splotches. Shape, size and colour vary with depth.
Clean sands on open coasts.
All helmet shells are carnivorous and often feed on sea urchins
Coastal Marine Inverts Vol 1