Strawberry Conch Fan Club

[MsBean]

Just had to share how much I love my new Strawberry Conch, added to my nano tank just a few days ago.

This guy is a marvel, he's basically an all-in-one clean up crew. He stirs sand, swallows leftovers, sucks up cyano and slime of all shades, and chomps down every type of nuisance algae I've got. Watching him vacuum the rocks and sand with that long trunk is oddly mesmerizing, and so satisfying. Plus how can you not love those wonky eye stalks, they're adorable in an underwater alien kind of way.

Some folks say theirs just stay in the sand but mine even attempts to scale the rockwork to reach the higher up bits of green stuff, and will happily hoover the back of any passing snail or hermit crab along the way.

My one fear is that a blue leg will eventually get the better of him, but for now the size differential seems to keep him safe enough.

Wish I'd gotten him earlier, would have saved me a fair bit of toothbrush work over the last few months!

 

[shakacuz]

i have mixed feelings about my conches(i have a fighting, and strawberry/tiger conch). both take days off of cleaning, but i like to assume its because they are allowing all the food they eat to get to a sufficient amount for them to go and get a good feast.

i am glad yours is actually a good worker!

 

[EricR]

Really like my conch that I've had for maybe 5-6 months.
LFS label was "Tiger Sand Conch" so not sure if that's the same thing but think so.

I've caught him mountain climbing my one treacherous rock structure -- made it almost to the top before toppling off.

Tries to syphon off the algae on the back of his shell but not great at it.
When he's buried with just top of his shell sticking out, my urchin has tried to clean it for him but the conch goes all "bucking bronco".

Not much of a picture taker but here's one from like 3.5 months ago after tank transfer -- target feeding 'cause I was scared the new tank was too clean:

 

[Rtaylor]

Really like my conch that I've had for maybe 5-6 months.
LFS label was "Tiger Sand Conch" so not sure if that's the same thing but think so.

I've caught him mountain climbing my one treacherous rock structure -- made it almost to the top before toppling off.

Tries to syphon off the algae on the back of his shell but not great at it.
When he's buried with just top of his shell sticking out, my urchin has tried to clean it for him but the conch goes all "bucking bronco".

Not much of a picture taker but here's one from like 3.5 months ago after tank transfer -- target feeding 'cause I was scared the new tank was too clean:

Sounds like you might be a little light on available food for your urchin and conch. Usually they only climb a distance if they can’t find food. Just feeding your fish a bit heavier might help.

 

[EricR]

Sounds like you might be a little light on available food for your urchin and conch. Usually they only climb a distance if they can’t find food. Just feeding your fish a bit heavier might help.

Probably was the case for a bit after tank transfer (new sand, swished live rock, some new dry rock),,, but, rest assured, I've been overfeeding so the tank is nice gunky for him now.

In fact, conch even buried himself in the back for like two weeks with just an eyeball sticking up and occasional "vacuum hose" sucking up whatever was nearby. (I was scared for a bit but now he's out lumbering around again).

 

[Breadbox]

My conch, together with a electric blue hermit( died mysteriously one day :( ) are the first living things in my tank.
He's going strong as ever, always licking at stuff at the base of the glass, unfortunately, this doesn't seem to have much effect on the algae at all.

 

[KMCA]

I love my conches. Even with buying most of my tank occupants for "weird" appeal my conches continue to steal the show.