Fighting Conch Care Guide
Strombus alatus is a Western Atlantic conch used as a sand-bed cleaner; it is a herbivore and detritivore, peaceful to tankmates though males are territorial.
Overview
Strombus alatus, the Florida fighting conch, is a medium-sized, warm-water marine gastropod of the family Strombidae, the true conchs. Its shell reaches up to about 112 mm. It closely resembles Strombus pugilis but has less prominent subsutural spines and slightly more projected outer lips.
Taxonomy
- Family: Strombidae
- Genus: Strombus
- Scientific name: Strombus alatus
- Common names: Florida fighting conch
Habitat
The species occurs in the Western Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, Texas and the east coast of Mexico. It has been recorded from the surface down to about 183 m and lives on open, deep sand beds where it forages.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Water flow: moderate
- Substrate: open, deep sand bed
Diet
The fighting conch is a herbivore that consumes detritus from the aquarium substrate and also feeds on algae, which makes it useful for algae control. It has a voracious appetite, so supplemental feeding is recommended, especially in smaller systems.
Reef compatibility
It is an excellent sand sifter that cleans and aerates the substrate, and it is peaceful toward other tankmates. Despite its name, conflict is limited to territorial disputes between males, so generally only one should be kept per tank unless the aquarium is very large. It is completely reef-safe.