I am pleased to offer this beautiful specimen of Cinctura tortugana (Hollister, 1957), a highly desirable deep-water species collected from Pulley Ridge in the Dry Tortugas. Measuring 104.5 mm (4.11”), this specimen displays exceptional cream and orange coloration with bold, evenly spaced spiral bands that make this species so distinctive among Gulf of Mexico fasciolariids.
Personally collected in a baited lobster trap aboard the F/V AVA PILAR, this specimen comes from depths of 200–240 feet and represents a fine example of this sought-after Florida endemic.
Specimen Data
Family: Fasciolariidae
Species: Cinctura tortugana (Hollister, 1957)
Location: Pulley Ridge, Dry Tortugas, FL
Method: Baited lobster trap, 200–240 ft
Date: January 2026
Collector: Randy Rivera – F/V AVA PILAR
Measures: 104.5 mm (4.11”)
TSC #: 0553FAS-TSC
Condition
An attractive collector specimen displaying outstanding color, strong patterning, and a well-preserved aperture. The shell retains excellent eye appeal with vibrant orange banding against a creamy white background.
There is a small repaired crack visible on the body whorl, a minor chip on the siphonal canal, and light collecting wear consistent with deep-water trap-collected material. These imperfections are stable and do not significantly detract from the specimen’s overall display quality and presentation.
Grade: F
Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and condition assessment.
Collector Notes
Cinctura tortugana is one of the most recognizable deep-water fasciolariids from the Gulf of Mexico. Specimens from Pulley Ridge are particularly desirable due to their vivid coloration and the limited access collectors have to these depths. Examples exceeding 100 mm with strong color and pattern are always popular among advanced Florida shell collectors.
Shipping
Your specimen will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking to ensure safe arrival.
Tortugas Shell Collection
Rare and unusual shells personally collected from the Gulf of Mexico and Dry Tortugas by commercial fisherman Randy Rivera.
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