<em>Calliostoma formosum</em> (McAndrew & Forbes, 1847)
dead shell taken from scallop dredge off Shetland 8mm, the species is circumpolar with the best examples being found in the North West Atlantic in deep water where they are larger and iridescent.
Rare. A northern species, recorded from the British Isles (mainly in the north), the Northern Isles and coast of Norway.
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data.
Lives on stones where it feeds on alcyonarians and hydroids.
Conical shell up to 12mm in height with about seven whorls. The shell is thin and semi-transparent and golden to reddish lustre. Shell surface is sculptured with 4 or 5 spiral ridges some of which have knot-like swellings. The animal possesses three pairs of epipodal tentacles.