Muricidae is a large and very varied family of small to large predatory marine gastropod molluscs, commonly known as murex snails or rock snails. There are over 1,700 living species and numerous subfamilies are recognized, although experts disagree about the subfamily divisions and the definitions of the genera. Many muricids have unusual shells which are considered attractive by shell collectors and by interior designers.  Muricids range in size from a few millimetres to larger than 250mm.   Chicoreus ramosus is the largest of the Muricidae and is harvested for food, and is one of the most common shells sold in seaside shops.