Queen conch has a leg...or claw?

[alzika]

I just watched my queen conch and it was basically jumping with what looked exactly like a leg or a crab claw.

What is this and why would it be doing that?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

no leg, no claw.
Strombus gigas has developed a method of locomotion using it's foot muscle. It can appear that the Conch is "hopping". It can use this action to evade predators.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

and stab....I think I read somewhere that its poisonus....I don't go near mine at all now.....I'll try to find that article and post

 

[alzika]

There were 2 hermits on its back when it started doing this. Very odd that the hermits were together and both on it considering I only have 4 hermits total in my 75 gallon tank.

Are they trying to steal its shell?

 

[greenbean36191]

and stab....I think I read somewhere that its poisonus....I don't go near mine at all now.....I'll try to find that article and post

Don't worry about it. It's not true. Conchs are completely harmless to humans.

 

[Amphiprion]

I think you simply saw the operculum, which is angular and located at the base of the foot. It almost does look like a 'claw.'