Disappearing Conchs?

[hfmann]

Hey Dustin,

Thank you. That was very fast! I got it from a LFS who said he got it from a customer who had acquired it when small, but outgrown his tank. I asked him if he was sure it was a Fighting Conch because it had the knobs I thought were indicative of a Queen. He showed me a "Queen" shell he had on his counter and it was decidely different than this.

This specimen has totally buried himself for months at a time. The first time I thought he died and dissolved (lol). After all a creature this big just couldn't dissappear in my tank. For the past several weeks he'll bury himself but half of the time, the top of his shell is sticking out of the sand. Other times, I'll see nothing but an eye stalk sticking up.

Thanks again for the help.

Hal
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economic stimulus

 

[teevee]

...the "spiky knobs" that everyone says distinguish the fighting from Queen.

Anyone who says that doesn't know their conches. :wink: I do feel that what you have there in the photo is a Strombus alatus (florida fighting conch).

I do agree that the operculum is used as a weapon. I don't think this is more applicable for S. alatus than any other species of conch. Like any common name, it is not necessarily accurate/descriptive/useful.

Note that alatus means "having wings". Another paradox. :?