Flamingo Tongue
Cyphoma gibbosum
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A small, smooth orange-white shell whose living animal wears a spotted leopard-print mantle over sea fans.
- Typical size
- 0.75–1.25 in
- How often it turns up
- Uncommon
- Collecting
- Protected, do not collect
- Handling
- Safe to handle
Do not take living flamingo tongues from sea fans. Empty shells found in drift are a different matter, but reef take rules apply in many areas.
How to tell it apart
- Smooth oval shell with a raised ridge across the back
- Plain cream or peach when empty
- Living animal has orange spotted mantle
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for shells. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Anclote Key Preserve State Park · Tarpon Springs
- Bean Point · Anna Maria
- Beer Can Island (Greer Island) · Longboat Key
- Boca Grande Public Beach · Boca Grande
- Bowman's Beach · Sanibel
- Captiva Beach · Captiva
- Cayo Costa State Park · Cayo Costa
- Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park · Naples
- Don Pedro Island State Park · Cape Haze
- Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park · St. George Island
- Gasparilla Island State Park · Boca Grande
- Gulfside City Park (Algiers Beach) · Sanibel
Found one?
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More shells in the field guide
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