Fighting conch info?

[abinder]

I purchased a fighting conch today for my JBJ 45 rimless.
It's a mixed reef tank with a few fish, anemone, a few hermit crabs, some snails.
Can I have more than 1 fighting conch in the tank? Or will they fight like the name?
(Please forgive my ignorance on this.)


Allen

 

[Aquaph8]

I have three, they do well together, just make sure you have plenty for them to eat.

 

[Mike&Terry]

You can keep more than one. I have 3 small ones in my 30g shallow reef.

 

[Aquaph8]

They're actually pretty cool when they interact.

 

[Mike&Terry]

^^
Cool pic Brett! :bigsmile:

 

[Aquaph8]

Thanks

 

[abinder]

So are they actually fighting?

 

[Aquaph8]

I'm really not sure what their meetings are about but it seems to me more love then fighting and nobody ever gets hurt.

 

[Coraloliseffect]

I beleve they are called fighting as the shell looks like a boxing glove ( I don't see it ) they don't fight. Just eat stuff on the bottom . In time They will get larger having several in a 30-40gal may not get enough food. One should be fine.

 

[abinder]

If they get larger, where do you get a larger shell for them? The shell that mine has is a type that I've never seen before. The shell is long and narrow. (I'd take a photo of it, but presently it buried itself.)

I was originally told that they don't climb the glass/acrylic of the tank, but yesterday, my fighting conch actually was going up the back of the tank like a snail.

Does the fighting conch bury itself a lot in the gravel/sand on the bottom of the tank?

Again as always, thanks everyone for any info, suggestions, and/or advice. It's greatly appreciated.


Allen

 

[Coraloliseffect]

They grow their own shell. Just like your snails do. They do partially burry themselves typically in day time. Never seen one clime the glass. Have had them for years. Never seen climb a steep rock or glass. Perhaps you have a different mollusk or one with talent

 

[abinder]

Cool!!!!!! I didn't realize that they grow their own shells! Nor did I realize that snails do as well!
(Another lesson learned!!!! Nice!!!!!)

Yea, I was surprised when it was climbing the back of the tank glass!
(Maybe it thinks it's a snail!!!!!)

Thanks again everyone! It's awesome learning things here!


Allen

 

[KorD]

The shells grow with them like Coraloliseffect said.. you can tell the age of the conch by how bowed out the rim by its eyes are.. the more then bow, the older they are.. We have one in my sons 10gal tank, and soon it will be added into my 29 gal.

 

[abinder]

Awesome help, suggestions, and info everyone!!!!!!!


Allen

 

[tonymission]

Don't freak out if you don't see it for a couple weeks. They'll do that

 

[abinder]

Thanks!
Presently, mine has buried itself near the front of the tank. I can just see a little bit of the part of back of it's shell.


Allen

 

[ahmed.boomer]

I've had mine hide for an entire month. Still doing well. I've had it for 6 months. Mine doesn't eat any nori I give to it though.

 

[michael1138]

I've had mine for almost a year. Wife and kids named him Willy (LOL). Willy is quite the climber. He's in a 28G JBJ and climbs from the bottom to the top rim. I dunno how he manages it. I've done the sit and stare to try to catch him moving. Haven't so far. I've often been a bit worried about his foot not being strong enough to support the weight of his shell..but he seems to do all right. It's kind of entertaining to watch his shell droop down, almost as if he's going to come out of it..but then you see him give a good tug to pull it back up. It's very interesting. I keep a 2" ish or so band of algae around the bottom for him to munch on..but you usually find him half way up the glass or hanging out at the top.

I have been mulling purchasing another..aquaph8's photo sealed the deal for me!

 

[abinder]

It's nice to hear everyone's experiences with their fighting conch.

Mine is still buried under the gravel/sand; at least that was the last that I saw of him, with it's shell barely visible (not visible at all now.) I wonder if when they buy themselves if they are actually moving below the gravel/sand or as someone stated 'sleeping'.


Allen

 

[NanaReefer]

I have one in my 40B. Can not see adding more then that. Very busy lil bugger at night. Most underrated, less talked about member of a larger tank CUC