While the outer surface of the shell is usually rather subdued in coloration, the inner surfaces visible around the opening can develop beautiful bright orange and pink hues. The characteristic spiral growth pattern of the conch shell includes numerous bumps and spikes along the outer surface. These projections are believed to confer some additional protection from predators.
However, because their shell has such a large opening, conchs may nevertheless be vulnerable to attack by certain fishes e. This is a relatively small group of mainly tropical gastropods. Stromboids usually bear large, distinctive eyes on long stalks. The eyes project from under the shell opening, with the left eye often fitted into a depression in the side. The eyes of Strombus and Lambis are especially well-developed. In recent years, Strombus spp. Not only can they be quite attractive and interesting to observe, but they also seem to be the ultimate sand sifter for larger systems.
They prefer environments with large, open, deep, silty substrates. Growing to a respectable three or four inches in shell length, they seem to plow through the sand as they hungrily feed on detritus, algae and uneaten fish food.
Many aquarists have reported that they will even consume cyanobacteria. In fact, the tank bottom may become completely cleaned before their ravenous appetite is satisfied. It does seem that they do best in captivity when able to feed on some plant matter. If their heavy grazing outpaces the growth rate of benthic microalgae, or if other bottom feeders appear to be outcompeting them, the keeper might consider supplementing their diet on occasion. This can easily be accomplished with the addition of a few sinking algae pellets or wafers.
The tiger sand conch Strombus sp. There are a huge variety of species that live in any number of marine habitats. Some are found in shallow, sandy areas, some in seagrass beds, and some in tropical coral reefs. Many are found in warm, tropical waters, but species can also be found in colder temperate waters and more. These snails can be found in oceans worldwide. Some species are restricted to small ranges, or certain temperature zones, while others are more cosmopolitan and can be found virtually worldwide.
There is such a wide variety of species that you can find these creatures virtually worldwide. Some species are largely herbivorous, while others are carnivorous in nature. Herbivores feed mostly on algae and underwater plants, carnivores feed on other animals. The carnivorous species will eat worms and other small invertebrates, fish, and carrion. Each species has different dietary needs, some are highly specialized and others are generalists that with eat just about anything.
The primary use of these mollusks is for consumption. There are a number of commercial fisheries to capture different species for seafood. Some of the most common uses are in chowders, gumbos, fritters, burgers, and salads.
They are also valued for their decorative shells. Many species have had significant impacts on different cultures as a food source. Some species can be kept in aquariums, but they are not intended to be a hands-on pet. As with any aquarium, and any pet for that matter, there is a decent amount of upkeep and maintenance. Herbivorous species will usually tend to themselves as long as the water quality, temperature, and salinity are correct.
The adult queen conch has a very heavy shell, with a brown horny organic exterior cover called periostracum and a bright pink interior. The shell is strong, thick, and very attractive, and is used to make shell tools, as ballast, to form jewelry.
It is often sold unmodified as a collectible and the animal is also fished and sold for its meat. There are over 60 species of sea snails, all of which have medium- to large-sized 14 inches shells. In many species , the shell is elaborate and colorful. True conchs like the queen are gastropods in the family Strombidae. The general term "conch" is also applied to other taxonomic families, such as the Melongenidae, which include the melon and crown conchs.
The queen conch's scientific name was Strombus gigas until when it was changed to Lobatus gigas to reflect current taxonomy. The conch species live in tropical waters throughout the world, including the Caribbean, West Indies, and the Mediterranean. They live in relatively shallow waters, including reef and seagrass habitats. Queen conchs live in several different habitat types in the Caribbean, along the Gulf coasts of Florida and Mexico, and in South America.
At different depths and aquatic vegetation, their shells have different morphologies, different spine patterns, and various overall lengths and spire shape. The samba conch is the same species as the queen, but compared to a typical queen conch, the samba lives in a shallow environment, is much shorter and very thickly shelled with a darker periostracum layer.
Conchs are herbivores that eat sea grass and algae as well as dead material. In turn, they are eaten by loggerhead sea turtles, horse conchs, and humans. A queen conch can grow to be over a foot long and can live for as long as 30 years—other species have been known to live to 40 or more.
Queen conch diets, like most of the conchs in the family, are herbivorous. Larvae and juveniles feed mainly on algae and plankton, but as growing subadults, they develop a long snout that allows them to select and consume bigger pieces of algae, and as juveniles they feed on seagrass. Adult conchs wander for miles instead of staying in one place.
Rather than swimming, they use their feet to lift and and then throw their bodies forward. Conchs also are good climbers. The average home range of a queen conch varies from a third of an acre to nearly 15 acres. They move within their range at the greatest speed in the summer during their reproductive season, when males search for mates and females look for egg-laying habitats. They are social creatures and reproduce best in aggregations.
Queen conchs reproduce sexually and can spawn year-round, depending on latitude and water temperature—in some locations, females migrate from offshore feeding areas in the winter to summer spawning grounds. Females can store fertilized eggs for weeks and multiple males can fertilize any single egg mass during that time.
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