The True Tulip (Fasciolaria tulipa) is a large marine gastropod mollusk found primarily in the warm coastal waters of the western Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Known for its striking, elongated spiral shell, the True Tulip is not a fish but a sea snail, and is harvested both for its edible meat and for its decorative shell, which is popular among collectors. The primary countries engaged in the harvesting of True Tulip include the United States (particularly Florida), Mexico, and several Caribbean nations such as the Bahamas and Cuba. In these regions, the True Tulip is collected mainly by artisanal and small-scale fishers, often as part of a broader shellfish and mollusk industry. While not as commercially significant as other marine species, the True Tulip holds local economic and cultural value, and harvesting is typically regulated to prevent overexploitation and to preserve coastal biodiversity.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.