Distribution: Common throughout the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific. In Australia recorded from around Perth in Western Australia, across the tropical north, the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, south to southern New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: A tropical species, habitat consists of coral and rocky reef to 20 m depth. Abundant in all kinds of habitats, especially under rocks in turbid water near reef systems.

Additional Notes: A solid cylindrical shell with strong teeth. Large spots present on the pale brown/pinkish coloured sides, dorsal surface greenish with diffuse brown spots, crossed by 3 pale brown bands. Sometimes a dark blotch in the top centre. The mantle is pale and transparent with relatively long papillae, see live animal in picture below. Grows to 55 mm. Deceased animal in top picture, note colouration and strong teeth.

References: Cowries of New South Wales, David Tarrant, published by David Tarrant, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2016. pp.48-9.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Erronea+caurica. Accessed 07/11/2018.

Neville Coleman, 2002 Sea Shells, Catalogue of Indo-Pacific Mollusca. Neville Coleman’s Underwater Geographic Pty Ltd, 2003. p.71.