Janthinidae: Janthina janthina (Linnaeus, 1758) (‘common violet-snail’)

Synonym(s): janthina Linnaeus, 1758 fragilis Lamarck, 1801 contorta Carpenter, 1857 striolata Carpenter, 1857 carpenteri Mörch, 1860.
Typical shell-length 30 mm. Low-spired, with relatively large body-whorl. Lives afloat on ocean surface by means of a bubble-raft. Native. Occurs all around Australia (QLD, NSW, TAS, VIC, SA, WA and NT); also widespread elsewhere in warm seas. In Tasmanian waters, this species is commonly beached around Flinders Island and on the E coast; more seldom beached elsewhere.