Not sure I should have bought the conch

[ReeferLou]

For some reason I got the idea that a fighting conch would be a good addition to my Display Tank. I hear they are a real good part of CUC and it would be cool to watch them. There was a local reef swap today and there was a vendor with some livestock. He had some fighting conchs in plastic containers and my first thought was they seem bigger than I expected. They were all about 3" long and about the size of 10yr olds fist. So fast forward a few hours and I am driving home I acclimate and place it in the tank. It makes a few jerky moves where it extends its foot and twists the shell and I was surprised at the power it had. After watching for 10 minutes as it moved a few items on the sand bed like bull running the streets in Pamplona I decided to put it in the sump. I know they cant climb the glass but I was surprised it ran into things on the sandbed. Maybe poor planning on my part for lack of research but do you think it will like the 20 gals sump if i feed it? I have an open sump with fuge too. Maybe a warning to others. Anyone else have any similar experience? Thanks

 

[nick_md]

It sounds like it could possibly be a different type of conch rather than the common aquarium fighting conch?

 

[TerraFerma]

The bigger they are the more stuff they run into/knock over. He will probably do well in your fuge. Every conch I've ever owned eventually perished due to lack of food.

 

[CanuckReefer]

For some reason I got the idea that a fighting conch would be a good addition to my Display Tank. I hear they are a real good part of CUC and it would be cool to watch them. There was a local reef swap today and there was a vendor with some livestock. He had some fighting conchs in plastic containers and my first thought was they seem bigger than I expected. They were all about 3" long and about the size of 10yr olds fist. So fast forward a few hours and I am driving home I acclimate and place it in the tank. It makes a few jerky moves where it extends its foot and twists the shell and I was surprised at the power it had. After watching for 10 minutes as it moved a few items on the sand bed like bull running the streets in Pamplona I decided to put it in the sump. I know they cant climb the glass but I was surprised it ran into things on the sandbed. Maybe poor planning on my part for lack of research but do you think it will like the 20 gals sump if i feed it? I have an open sump with fuge too. Maybe a warning to others. Anyone else have any similar experience? Thanks

I am just here for the Bulls of Pamplona reference lol....well done. I have a Strawberry Conch, about 2 inches, seems more peaceful. Might be just fine in the sump....

 

[vetteguy53081]

3" is huge and post a pic to confirm it IS a fighting conch

 

[DrufusReef]

That does not sound like a fighting conch. I think you may have something different. Also I wouldn't keep her in the sump. It is likely to survive, but will not be happy.

 

[Mountain Reefer]

I have three that are about 2" that do same thing. Bulldozes anything in the sand. He knocked over my Maxima clam a few times before it attached to rubble in the sand. My tank is 200 gallons and they do a great job keeping the sand clean. Also, very fun to watch move around the tank

 

[Ippyroy]

I have two fighting conchs, each in separate tanks. I find them on the glass all the time. It is highly entertaining to watch them on the glass. The Inappropriate Reefer has huge conch in his mangrove tank. It is the size of a fist.

 

[MasonK24]

i have 3 fighting conches, all around 2”. I have had them in my 75 gallon for 2 years. They have never knocked anything over for me, maybe im lucky lol. They are the best sand cleaners ive ever owned. 10/10 would reccommend to anyone that can sustain them.

 

[ReeferLou]

3" is huge and post a pic to confirm it IS a fighting conch

Yes please and thanks.

 

[ThePurple12]

Does the fuge have sand? If so, you could probably do it with good feeding.

 

[MasonK24]

Yes please and thanks.

that looks nothing like my fighting conch. im no expert, but you may have got something else.

 

[ThePurple12]

that looks nothing like my fighting conch. im no expert, but you may have got something else.

There are many types of "fighting conch". The ones from Florida do grow that big.

 

[MasonK24]

There are many types of "fighting conch". The ones from Florida do grow that big.

thats why i said im no expert. i never knew that. thanks. mine looks like this

 

[ReeferLou]

thats why i said im no expert. i never knew that. thanks. mine looks like this

If you too a pic of the other side where the foot sticks out it may look the same? The top of my shell is not shiny like that pic though .

 

[ThePurple12]

Yours looks like a Florida fighting conch, Strombus alatus, because of the spikes on the shell. Does this look right?

 

[MasonK24]

If you too a pic of the other side where the foot sticks out it may look the same? The top of my shell is not shiny like that pic though .

bottom of mine looks like this.

 

[ReeferLou]

Yours looks like a Florida fighting conch, Strombus alatus, because of the spikes on the shell. Does this look right?

Yes pretty certain that is what I have.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good pic. You have caribbean species ( florida and bahamas)

 

[ReeferLou]

Good pic. You have caribbean species ( florida and bahamas)

Yes Strombus alatus I found. Thanks all. Maybe it was just a little shocked and if I do some securing of a few things in my DT I can give it another try.