Experience with queen conch?

[gka]

Been seeing some information lately on the queen conch snail. How do they compare to other algae eaters?

 

[Chucker]

My tank is diatom-free, and the conch I added about six months ago has tripled in size to about 4". I have found that this one is mowing down hair algae, and occasionally working on some red slime, but not enough to show a difference.

 

[davelin315]

I just tossed 6 in my tank on the advice of this board just over a week ago. I don't know how much algae they are eating, but it's pretty neat to see a snail with two long eye stalks crawling around on the bottom, which is where they tend to stay (only one has ventured onto the side of the tank and the rock, and in fact, he only remained there for a little while, and now is back on the substrate).

 

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that they eat diatoms primarily. They are also found in the grass flats so they won't go up on the rocks much, or at least they don't in the real world. They grow to about 9-10", if I remember correctly. HTH

 

[smokin reefer]

more reply's please.

 

[lawndoctor]

I put mine in to keep the sand clean. Once that's done they climb the walls - literally - for algae. They're like snails, but with a personality.

 

[MIKE NY1]

I have two of them in a 90 gal. One small about 2" which still climbs the glass and rocks and a larger one about 4" thats stays on the sand. They both do a great job cleaning the sand of all types of algae including red slime.

Mike

 

[kjb]

I've had one for a while now and he must be about 3 1/2 inches long and getting bigger all the time. Constantly eats and works both the sand and the sides of the tank where he can reach without climbing... once I even saw it foraging off it's own shell, which was funny to watch! Never saw it eat anything other than diatoms off the sand and algae from the tank walls.

 

[BradB]

Conch are really neat animals, especially when you think a bunch of snails all over the glass looks bad. They will eat diatoms, green film, and red slime algea (probably any algea except macroalgea and coralline), mostly off the sandbed (nothing else I tried even put a dent in my sand surface algea). I highly recommend them.

 

[kjb]

The funny thing about my conch is that he seems to leave a trail of what I can only describe as sand piles shaped like shrimp pellets. COuld be conch poop, could be the way the sand gets piles after it moves across, I just don't know. Also don't see how a creature could possibly poo that much.
Hope that's not too much information

 

[Odd Ball]

I have 6 in my 100 gallon.

As others have said, they are usually found on the sandbed. Top layer, eyes out, slowly moving and eating. I have one or two that will climb on the glass and rocks. However, they do not party there too long. I think they fall over more readily by climbing the rocks. So - no no.

The primary food I feel is algae. Mostly diatoms and red slime / cyno. How good of a job at eating cyno, I do not know. But, I see them eating it.

With only 6 in the tank I do not think they are controlling it. But, they do seem to keep it in check. In fact, I think they are perfect for straffing the top layer of sand without hurting your fauna.

I'd recommend them.

 

[yznhmr]

hey davelin where did you get your queens?

 

[yznhmr]

ok where did anyone in Illinois get theirs?

 

[Sea Serpent]

I saw one for the first time in a lfs and immediately brought her home with me. She has been in my tank less than one week and has already made a dent in the red slime on my sand bed. She is sooooo coool to watch and I can't believe how well she has cleaned the sand. If I could find another, I would put more in my tank!
Sea Serpent

 

[Blowfishaq]

I have 2 and they are the primary sand bed cleaners. They are awesome. This is the photo I keep in my wallett. Sorry for the photos size. You have to have a big wallet if you have a reef tank.

 

[scooterr]

I have one that sounds similar to most in my 55.
yznhmr - I got mine at Premium Aquatics.

 

[Anonymous]

That's where mine came from.

 

[davelin315]

I got mine from Sea Shell Pet Shop in Skokie. They are 6 for $24 (about double the cost of MO, but add in the shipping, etc. and it's about even) there. Very small, though, all an inch or less, although, from what I understand, they grow fairly quickly.

 

[gka]

I posted the original question. Thanks for the information. I have to admit though that if someone (aka blowfish) actually keeps a picture of his snails in his wallet they must be cool (or he must be awful lonely

. I'm convinced and will add one to my reef.