Fighting conch

[Marchillo]

I had my LFS get one in for me and picked him up last night. Guy is huge. I think he's full grown. Anyways he was trying to get by a rock last night and couldn't do it. This morning I wake up and he's in the corner (he got by the rock) with my peppermint shrimp jumping on top of him. :bounce3:

Are these guys pretty resourceful getting out of tight spots? I guess I should widen the whole perimeter of my Aqua Scape to let him get around. Right now my front is very open and my back and sides are tight. Might be why I get terrible buildup in the back even though I have a dedicated PH back there. This is only a 40G Breeder so I want this guy to have full access.

Thoughts or experiences with these guys

 

[Dkuhlmann]

You'd do better with nassarius snails than the fighting conch's. IMO I've got two of the large ones and half a dozen or so of the little guy's. Great snails!

 

[Marchillo]

I've got a few of those guys as well. My cuc was really bare and now I think I'm done. I just need to clear space for this guy I think. The front of my tank looks good and the back is kind of a hot mess. I usually use a rake tool to pull out globs of algae from back there. Obviously my scape is an issue.

 

[snorvich]

I have them and love them. I plan get a couple more (as I have largish tanks)

 

[Marchillo]

Steve -

Do you feel they are able to navigate tight spaces? I love mine too. He's very active and entertaining. I wish he were smaller so I can watch him grow.

 

[downbeach]

I had two, for years, in a 180 to help with my DSB, along with some Cerith and Nassarius Vibrex. Here's some more information:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/rs/index.php

 

[snorvich]

Steve -

Do you feel they are able to navigate tight spaces? I love mine too. He's very active and entertaining. I wish he were smaller so I can watch him grow.

I have seen them go places I do not know how they reached. But I have two 8 foot tanks so I do not keep track of them all that much. They are funny looking because over time algae grows on them and they need a haircut (which they get periodically)

 

[johnike]

Great addition the the sand crew, I've always had one or two.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I'm going to add one when I upgrade to my 40b

 

[gone fishin]

Mine gets around, I did not rearrange anything for him, but it sounds like you might benefit from some scape tuning. Good luck

 

[johnike]

http://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/florida-fighting-conch

 

[AnselnEdie]

You'd be surprised how far they can get their foot out of their shell and push or "jump". I've watched mine do a lap just hopping all the way around my tank and it's pretty hysterical. I've also watched it wedge itself in some pretty tight spots and work it's way out. I wouldn't worry at all.

 

[Sk8r]

One per 50 gallons. Two caveats: 1) they can accidentally kill plate coral by ripping the skin. 2) they can jam fatally in a narrow spot, so kind of think of them when setting up.

 

[Marchillo]

I cleared one rock for him so he can get to the back corner. So far there are two places I've seen him get "stuck" he's been able to get out of.

I'll probably improve my scape but I'm guessing fatally stuck means they get stuck and starve to death? Obviously if I see him get stuck for too long I'll move him. Fun guy to watch for sure.

 

[vhuang168]

You'd do better with nassarius snails than the fighting conch's. IMO I've got two of the large ones and half a dozen or so of the little guy's. Great snails!

Nassarius do not eat algae (at least not in my tank). Conchs are herbivores so they clean off the algae on the substrate.

 

[hogfanreefer]

There is a smaller version that has a slightly different shaped shell that I've gotten in addition to my one big guy.

He actually got out of this spot without my help.

 

[Sapelo]

I had one in my 90 gallon which, I admit, has too much rock on the sandbed. He had a hard time getting around, was frequently stuck and never really happy.He moved on to live in a friend's 200 gallon and we are both happier.

 

[Marchillo]

Well I just rearranged my whole scape creating a perimeter that is accessible all the way around for him. Right now he's in the back enjoying the all you can eat limitless buffet. I'm interested to see how he does back there. In the process I created a ton of caves/tunnels and I think my Starry Blenny is in heaven now. The only thing that will be interesting to see is where the clowns decide to sleep. Their sleeping corridors were against the side wall behind a rock. That no longer exists. The are the kings in there anyway so I'm sure they will work it out.

 

[gone fishin]

Nice. It sounds like a good change. BTW how is the TT coming?

 

[Marchillo]

Tony -

TTM is great. Today is day 7. Made the transfer last night. They are eating great and look happy and healthy. Thanks again for the additional guidance.