Conch or Whelk?

[NeedBiggerTank]

We got this handsome fellow at the MTRC meeting last week at AC. As I was doing research to try to find out what specific type of Conch he was (AC wasn't sure), I couldn't find a conch that matched (tried www.gastropods.com, Google, wetwebmedia, etc.). One tidbit I did find in my search, is that (supposedly) all conchs have "eye balls" on the tips of their eyestalks (instead of the eye being near the base/branch of the stalk, closer to the foot).

Now I'm worried that I may have a 3.5" whelk in my reef tank - because this snail doesn't seem to have those eyeballs (unless they are so tiny you can't see them). It does bury itself in the sand, climbs the glass, live lock, and even got itself wedged in my refugium outlet pvc pipe!

Please let me know what you think. Thanks in advance.

Jennie

 

[shirley386]

All my conchs have eyes on stalks and feed with a trunk extension. None of mine leave the sandbed although they will prop up on the glass and eat as far as their trunk will reach.

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

Think we will take this guy back, just to be on the safe side. Thanks.

You'd think after years of having aquariums, I'd learn not to "take the pretty thing home that you're not 100% sure what it is". :sad2:

Jennie

 

[ameares8]

I think we have all been guilty of that when we have know better. it happens.

 

[Pickupman66]

If I had a dime for every time I have done that.. not only does it apply to the Reef tank, but it also applies to fishing lures and other man toys.

 

[poolkeeper1]

You need to stay out of those AV stores Huh... LOL
Bill

 

[andywe]

the last time I "took the pretty thing home" I ended up married! Lucky for me she turned out to be fantastic for me, but still a valuable lesson!

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, flies like a duck, and swims like a duck, then guess what? It's a duck! If it doesn't..then bring it back.

 

[Pickupman66]

No kidding bill. guys like me are attracted to shiny things. why do you think they put the metal flake in the bass boats?! mine is a nice sparkly red and silver! and when its all waxed up.. wooooo!!! same goes for the baits. they are now selling a crankbait (plastic swimming fishy looking thingy for those that dont know) that has a laser in it that comes on when its wet. supposedly to attract the fish, but it mostly catches the angler before it comes out of the package! FWIW, I DONT own one of these...yet

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

LOL Ya'll are too funny.

AC was happy to take the fellow back. Hopefully he'll find a nice home in an appropriate tank. BTW, when we were "browsing" as we always do at AC, in their snail/star/anemone tank they had a beautiful banded tulip snail (which I did NOT buy because I knew what it was and that it would not be reef safe/safe with other inverts - see, spending hundreds of hours looking at the pictures/names on gastropods.com really pays off!).

Jennie

 

[Pickupman66]

Jennie, they are usually very understanding there for taking back an item that just wont work. glad it all worked out. we are actually very glad to be so far from there right now. I would have like 10 fish on layaway!