This is the Charonia tritonis or Triton's Trumpet
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This is the Triton's Trumpet, Charonia tritonis, or Pū in Hawaiian.
It can be found from 15-75 feet in depth on the coral reefs. This mollusk/snail has a beautiful shell and is one of the largest found on the reefs. They play an important role in the reef ecosystem. They prey on cushion stars (a type of sea star), urchins, and more importantly the crown of thorns. The crown of thorns sea star, when left to overpopulate, can decimate healthy coral reefs. The trumpet will attach itself and use a toothy radula (like a scraping tool) to saw into the insides of its prey, inject a paralyzing poison, and then consume it.
They are named after the Greek god Triton, god of the sea.
It was said that he could calm the seas by blowing this shell. It can be heard for miles across the sea and the land. In Hawaii, we refer to is at Pū. It was used in ancient Hawaiian culture and is still used today. Ancient Hawaiians would sound it to announce the arrival of aliʻi (royalty) or to mark the arrival of Makahiki Season (the traditional Hawaiian New Year festival that honors the god Lono). It can be still heard at weddings, luaus, and to even signal the opening session of Hawaiian Legislature today.
The image above was taken during a Private Ocean Project Maui Snorkel Tour.
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