ID of shell found at Captiva Island, SE Florida, USA

[dhcox57]

Here's the photo: <a href="http://www.nyx.net/~dhcox/conchito.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nyx.net/~dhcox/conchito.jpg">www.nyx.net/~dhcox/conchito.jpg</a><!-- w --></a>

It is 5/8 of an inch long, just under 1/4 inch at the widest point.

Found in May of 2001 on Captiva Island, off the Gulf Coast of Southeast Florida, USA (on the beach, that is, the western shore of the island).

This was far back from the tideline, say 30 yards; might have been out of the water for a long time, thus the bleached appearance.

I don't know how shells change their proportion during the growth stage. I have one shell book that shows the Florida Fighting Conch (Strombus alatus) at different stages and a photo caption says "the immature shell is a bit different from the adult and is often mistaken for a cone shell." But looking again at that book, I suspect this is more likely a juvenile cone shell, perhaps the Florida Cone, with the normal coloration bleached away. As always, I am grateful for any help.

[dave r]

I agree, it does look like a cone shell but I think it is a fossil or at least a subfossil. I can't say any more than that I am afraid as it is out of my sphere of knowlege. You could try the Jacksonville shell club's website, Jaxshells, they may be able to help more.
Dave

[dave r]

I think it would be plain white if it was just beached, the grey colour  says 'fossil' to me.
Dave

[conchylinet]

Perhaps a beached juvenile Conus delessertii (Recluz 1843). Pierre