Conidae: Conasprella rutila (Menke, 1843) (‘fiery cone’)

Synonym(s): rutila Menke, 1843 semisulcatus Sowerby, 1870 tasmanicus Tenison-Woods, 1876 macleayana Tenison-Woods, 1877 smithi Angas, 1877.

Typical shell-length 15 mm. Intensity of background colouring and patterning vary, but the small size and spire shape are distinctive. Lives subtidally amongst seagrass. Native. Endemic to southeastern and southwestern Australia (NSW, TAS, VIC, SA and WA). In Tasmanian waters, this is a rare species; nearly all records are from the N coast and Bass Strait islands.