Fighting Conches, Clean Up DSB Crew

[Ekudl]

I just got three fighting conches. I was only going to get 1 for my 20GL nano but my LFS were selling them for $14.99 ea or 3 for $30. The guy at the store said he has 6 Fighting conches in his 30 Gl Nano with no problems.

I was wondering how Fighting Conches get around through very full tanks with lots of LR? I thought I read somewhere that they only stay on the DSB at all times. I made room all around my LR and glass in an attempt to allow my Conches a "Runway" of sand around the entire reef. Was that a waste of time for me to move my rock? Does other peoples Fighting Conches move over LR to get to other sand? Comments much appreciated.

[Rhoad Kyll]

When small, conchs regularly crawl over live rock AND up tank glass. As they get bigger and heavier they can no longer carry the weight of the shell and stay on the substrate.

[Sylock]

Yeah, mine is all over the place, glass, rock, sand. Does a terrific job keeping the sand free of red slime algea. I was over feeding at the start of my tank so I am battling a bloom of the stuff now, but he's winning hands down.

[hooked]

I find my conch most anyplace. I think you will find that 3 in a 20g will be to small for them. I would be thinking about moving 2 soon. I'm not sure on the growth rate as I have had mine for around 6 months and they don't really look as if they have grown. Can anyone comment on the growth rate.

[Sylock]

BTW, I agree with hooked. 3 is to many for a 20 gallon. After about 2 weeks they will have your DSB clean and one would be all you need.

[Rhoad Kyll]

Conchs can grow pretty rapidly if they have alot of food. Definitely only need 1 queen or 2 fighting in that size tank.

[socal surfer]

I have two queen cochs on my tank ad 4 led reg hermits all together they do a great job cleaning the sand bed. Nassuris snails are another sand bed cleaning type of snail you could always try those.

[Ekudl]

I'm surprised that most people are saying 1 or 2 for a 20 Gl tank. The guy at the fish store said he has 6 Fighting Conches in a 30 Gl Nano. Perhaps he is lying but he says that he doesn't do anything to supplement his DSB for the Conches and they are all doing fine. I was wondering if anyone actually had a Fighting Conche that starved to death?

[Rhoad Kyll]

LFS employee lying? No way, that can't be true. Really though these animals grow, they don't stay 1" for long and compete for the food till none is left. If you have to hand feed them that defeats the purpose of adding them in the first place.

[DKKA]

Just because he has 6 in a 30 gal, doesn't mean they will survive long term.
My guess is they are all small, and haven't been in there very long.
Dan

[MontanaRocknReefer]

May have to drop in some spirulina discs to keep them fed! Johnny

[Sylock]

If you have to target feed them to keep them alive though, you will have a greater opportunity to overfeed your tank. And with a nano, you can't afford to do that. That's why you need to take it slow with all tanks, especially nanos. Everything you feed to the tank adds nutrients to it ... nutrients that aren't used or aren't fully used give the pests food (red slime algea, etc.).

[karlas]

i would keep 1 for your 20 maby sell the other 2 or put them in a bigger tank. i have 2 in a 75 and they cover the entire bottom and do a great job i was considering adding another one but after seeing them in action decided against it. mine have seemed to grow fairly quick ive had them a couple of months they were both about 1" when added now one is about 2" the other about 3". they did help get rid of the cyano and the sand is cleaner than ever i also have a couple of nassaourious snails also. they make a good team on the substrate. my nass snails do go on the rock and glass the conchs stay on the bottom

[Ekudl]

Thanks everyone,

I just went ahead and returned 2 out of the 3 Fighting Conches I had. I noticed just after 2 days the 3 Conches completely cleaned my DSB amazing. So I am convinced that they might of starved after a short while as well.