This is a relatively small group of mainly tropical gastropods. certain wrasses) or larger hermit crabs.Ī good many of the “true” conchs are represented by the stromboids. However, because their shell has such a large opening, conchs may nevertheless be vulnerable to attack by certain fishes (e.g. These projections are believed to confer some additional protection from predators. The characteristic spiral growth pattern of the conch shell includes numerous bumps and spikes along the outer surface. While the outer surface of the shell is usually rather subdued in coloration, the inner surfaces (visible around the opening) can develop beautiful bright orange and pink hues. This permits the animal to slide along the flat seafloor with the shell opening positioned just over the substrate surface. This causes the shell to flare out along the opening (or aperture). As the snail rapidly grows, its body mantle pushes against the shell. The whorled, spindle-shaped shell is thick and heavy and may be covered with a horny layer (or periostracum). This extremely high rate of growth, however, decreases somewhat as the animal matures.Ĭonchs typically reach adulthood at approximately four years of age. Where food sources are abundant and of a high quality, some species of this voracious omnivore can grow from a minute larva to a quarter-pound individual in as little as one year. Conchs often move into deeper and deeper waters as they grow, only returning the shallows to deposit eggs. When moving above the substrate surface (particularly when threatened) they can move in odd “hopping” motions. Though adapted to a life beneath the sediments, these snails have very strong feet with which they can cling to hard surfaces. They are most easily found in shallow beaches just below the low-tide line. Additionally, those aquarists with sizable tanks (particularly with very deep sand beds) might consider including a few conchs.Ĭonchs (pronounced “konks”) are large, fast-growing marine snails that feed on detritus and film algae on soft sea bottoms. One may simply use a big number of these small snails to service larger aquarium systems. Some small snails such as Nassarius work well here (see An Overview of the Sand-Sifting Nassarius Snails). There is a handful of infaunal snail groups that have been used for this purpose with generally great results.
As such, sand-sifting animals form an important part of any aquarium clean-up crew. The movement and feeding activities of sand sifters hence turns over the sand bed, removing detritus and lending an overall “clean” look to the substrate surface. Some deposit feeders feed on piles of solid organics or algal films directly off of the surface of the seafloor some actually probe the depths of the substrate for buried morsels. These creatures tend to be deposit feeders. These creatures (referred to as infaunal) spend most of their time under the surface of soft substrates such as sand or mud. The accumulation of detritus in the sand or gravel bed of marine aquaria can be controlled with the smart use of sand-sifting organisms. These byproducts may lead to nuisance algae outbreaks or even become toxic as they accumulate. As it is broken down by microbes within or over the surface of the substrate, various byproducts are produced. Not only is this waste material unsightly, but it also degrades water quality. As many aquarists who have dug their hand into a deep, mature sand bed can attest, an aquarium substrate can trap and store an enormous amount of particulate organic matter (POM).
Just as the floor is usually the dirtiest spot in the house, so is the substrate in most marine aquaria.
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