Is this normal Conch behaviour?

[PortSideReef]

I have been searching for this answer and only found a possible one in some other forum but would like others opinions.

Recently got this strawberry conch and found that he likes to climb. I often find him climbing the glass. Will also climb the rocks. I thought Conch's were more keen to stick to the sand. I found in the one thread that juvenile strawberry/Tiger Conch's will climb. Once they get to a certain size/weight they will be too heavy to climb anymore = welcome to adulthood.

There is only the one conch for a 72g bow front. Hermits and snails make up the majority of the CUC. 1 inch or so sand bed. I expect he has lots of food. I'll admit I likely overfeed with rotations of flake, pellet, algea waffers and mysis feast. The snails clean the glass well so I feel there is more on the floor then the walls for him to eat. The tank is fairly new. Fully cycled but hasn't truely hit the ugly phase. Today I found him grazing on a turbo snail while hanging out on the glass. Sometimes he'd climbing the glass and be fully stretched out. Then will do the equivalent of a chin-up and pull his fat butt up and continue.

Any insight to this behaviour is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[blaxsun]

Where the concha wanna go, the conch go...

 

[bnord]

Have many a conch
never seen one do that

 

[Mikedawg]

I have been searching for this answer and only found a possible one in some other forum but would like others opinions.

Recently got this strawberry conch and found that he likes to climb. I often find him climbing the glass. Will also climb the rocks. I thought Conch's were more keen to stick to the sand. I found in the one thread that juvenile strawberry/Tiger Conch's will climb. Once they get to a certain size/weight they will be too heavy to climb anymore = welcome to adulthood.

There is only the one conch for a 72g bow front. Hermits and snails make up the majority of the CUC. 1 inch or so sand bed. I expect he has lots of food. I'll admit I likely overfeed with rotations of flake, pellet, algea waffers and mysis feast. The snails clean the glass well so I feel there is more on the floor then the walls for him to eat. The tank is fairly new. Fully cycled but hasn't truely hit the ugly phase. Today I found him grazing on a turbo snail while hanging out on the glass. Sometimes he'd climbing the glass and be fully stretched out. Then will do the equivalent of a chin-up and pull his fat butt up and continue.

Any insight to this behaviour is appreciated.

Thanks.

I have one that climbs about 6" up the glass; surprised me

 

[PortSideReef]

I have one that climbs about 6" up the glass; surprised me

This guy will climb the full 22 inches of the tank. Will find him right under the lid sometimes. He goes everywhere but spends the least amount of time on the sand.

 

[blaxsun]

Have many a conch
never seen one do that

I've had a few that scaled all the rocks - but none have been bold enough to climb the glass.

 

[Steve and his Animals]

Conchs only climb when they're hungry. Not enough algae on the sand means they gotta look around or they starve. Usually this starts with propping themselves up on rocks to use their long mouth to reach around the edge. If they continue to struggle to find food, then they have to resort to climbing, which they are generally not good at. Yours are little so they can still support their own weight, bigger ones don't have the luxury. I would try pinning some nori to the sand bed/around the rock and sand meeting points to supplement them once in a while. You could also try algae wafers.

 

[PortSideReef]

Conchs only climb when they're hungry. Not enough algae on the sand means they gotta look around or they starve. Usually this starts with propping themselves up on rocks to use their long mouth to reach around the edge. If they continue to struggle to find food, then they have to resort to climbing, which they are generally not good at. Yours are little so they can still support their own weight, bigger ones don't have the luxury. I would try pinning some nori to the sand bed/around the rock and sand meeting points to supplement them once in a while. You could also try algae wafers.

I initially thought lack of food too. It's the reason I added the algea wafers. 2 wafers tied to a small rock with an elastic band. Lasts about 2 to 3 days until all cleaned up. Crabs love it. Conch has grazed but has ignored as well and find climbing instead. Next LFS order I plan on picking up Nori to see if he is a picky eater.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes conchs will do this as they also do this in the wild to lay eggs.
You want a lid or at least saran along the top to produce a barrier

 

[PortSideReef]

Yes conchs will do this as they also do this in the wild to lay eggs.
You want a lid or at least saran along the top to produce a barrier

Thank you @vetteguy53081 good to know this is normal. I do have a lid. Does this mean he's a she and should I prep for a nursery? Is that even possible in a very young tank?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you @vetteguy53081 good to know this is normal. I do have a lid. Does this mean he's a she and should I prep for a nursery? Is that even possible in a very young tank?

I think its more habit than preparation for eggs