The specific name amphora is the Latin word for vase, derived from the Greek amphoreus (αμφορεύς).

This species distribution is restricted to the tropical southwest Pacific, from southern Indonesia and New Guinea to the northern half of Australia.

[1] This large sea snail is known to live in littoral and shallow sublittoral zones.

The size and ornamentation of the Melo amphora shell makes it highly regarded as a decorative item.

It is also known to be used as a water carrier, and as a bailer for fishing boats (like other species from the Melo genus).