The conch snail is very popular in saltwater tanks and reef tanks. This is due to their mild temperament, and they are easy to care for. But, the biggest reason for their popularity is just watching them sift through the sand bed in search of food.
In addition to that, they are very beneficial to your tank because they sift through your sand bed and consume detritus and uneaten food. This can help to regulate unwanted Nitrates in your aquarium. Their movement also helps to aerate the sand bed.
They are notorious for their long snout which sniffs through the silt and sand for food to eat.
And yes, conch snails are reef safe. The are not in the habit of tearing up corals, however, it can accidentally knock over a frag you have on the sand.
The common name for this is conch snail or fighting conch snail. The scientific name is Strombus spp.
- Care Level – Easy
- Tank Size – 50 gallons minimum
- Temperament – Peaceful
- Diet – Detritus
- Temperature – 72-78 degrees F
- SG – 1.023 to 1.025
- dKH – 8 to 12
- pH – 8.1 to 8.4
- Origin – Asia, Tonga
- Max Size – 4 inches
While you may see fighting conch listed when you purchase one, please note that they are not aggressive. They are relatively peaceful, but they can be a little territorial to other males.
Environment
The best environment for conch snails are deep sand beds. They do best in an established tank, however, they can be added to a newer tank as long as your water parameters are stable.
One of the problems with newer tanks is the every changing nitrate levels. These snail do best in a lower nitrate environment, so it may be best to wait on this until you can get your nitrate levels under control.
Also, a natural predator to them is the hermit crab. They will kill them sometimes for their shell.
What Do Conch Snails Eat?
Conchs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal. Typically, they feed on leftover food in the sand bed, but you can supplement fish, dried seaweed, or high quality frozen food like mysis shrimp
They will also feed on algea and diatoms. Based on their diet, you can see why they are such a great choice as a member of your aquarium clean up crew.
Are Conch Snails Poisonous?
Conch snails that go in your saltwater tank are not poisonous, and they can not hurt you.
Conclusion
Conch snails are a great addition to your tank. They are inexpensive, easy to care for, and fun to watch. They are also not expensive and very hardy. We highly recommend getting some to help clean your sand bed.
