Queen Conchs: What are your experiences?

[Kevro]

They're not real easy to find, but I've heard good things about these farm-raised Queen Conchs being excellent sand stirrers and reef friendly. Anyone have one? What do you think?

Thanks!
Kevro

 

[Anonymous]

I have two and highly recommend them for a well fed tank that may occasionally experience diatom blooms. Reef friendly and big eaters.

 

[Jefe12234]

I agree, mine always seems to be eating and he turns over the sand pretty well as he moves, keeping it white.

 

[acidbaby1]

God they taste good seared. I'm building a ten gallon, way too small for those tasty beauties.

 

[67Stang]

Does anyone have a picture of a Queen Conch they can post?

I just received a Queen Conch and a Fighting Conch from eTropicals.

They were both about 3/4" (small?) when I put them in the tank. I haven't seen them since(I guess they are in the sand bed?)

Anyway, I was expecting something different than I received.

Any info?

Thanks
Bruce

 

[Chucker]

Queen conch = huge. Most people aren't aware that they easily go over 8".

 

[ToddinAtl]

The fighting conchs are better as they only get to about 4". 67stang...look for 2 little eye stalks and a little elephant nose coming from the sand, that's how I inventory mine..
Todd

 

[Kevro]

From what I understand, the Queen Conchs don't get much over 3" in captivity. Does that sound right?

Kevro

 

[npaden]

Kevro,

My queen conch must not have been told that it was in captivity. It is around 4" already and I've had it almost 2 years.

Here is a pic of it from a while back:

FWIW, Nathan

 

[SPC]

They are just like any other animal you keep as far as size. If they have enough to eat and their other needs are met, they will end up reaching their wild size.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

A "Queen" Conch is a Fighting Conch in Drag, Right?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes it will grow as long as it has food. If you see it stop growing give it some algae from the store. Please research the critters before you buy them. Sure it was raised in captivity, but it is still a life. If mine outgrows his appointed domain I will most certainly eat him. Conch tastes great and is less filling

 

[MIKE NY1]

I have two as well. They do a great job on the sand.

 

[scooterr]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by cwa46:
<strong>A "Queen" Conch is a Fighting Conch in Drag, Right?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I believe Dr. Ron is on that one as we speak.

 

[esmithiii]

Steve- you are killing me! LOLROTF!

 

[Nameless]

I asked Dr. Ron about this. He said that the queen and fighting conchs are two separate species. He also said that his queen that he bought two years ago at one inch long is now a massive nine inches long. He said that each conch needs about 2 square feet of sand surface to feed (at least)