Conch ?

redlion4 · 09-09-2004, 07:06 PM

We have had a fighting conch (~3") for a over a month or so now (from JnS). For almost the entire week it has been buried in one spot. We can see its beady eyes peering out of the sand now and then, but it has yet to emerge from the sand.

So, how long do we wait? Is it normal for it to stay in one spot soooooo long? Previously the longest it stayed buried was a couple of days. Is this normal? Does it need more food? Other suggestions?

It is not being picked on, and everything in the tank is doing well - fish, corals, clam, snails, shrimp, etc....

Ryan.

Pamsreef · 09-09-2004, 07:09 PM

Mine buries from time to time. Never really noticed for how long. You could always dig him out of the sand. I would think if he's dead or dying the crabs and stuff would be after it.Pam

redlion4 · 09-09-2004, 08:21 PM

Yeah, been pondering pulling it out of the sand, so we did it. Everything looked okay (no decay, etc.).....it only took 5-10 minutes for the conch to re-bury itself in the sand.

What now?

otolith · 09-09-2004, 08:39 PM

leave it alone unless there's a bunch of hermits around it

FastFish720 · 09-09-2004, 09:33 PM

I also have one from Jerry and it is super active day and night.
1) I would try watching it at night so see if it becomes more active.
2) Move it to a different part of the sand
3) If you have a sump put it in there, and see if it does anything
4) Your sandbed is really really dirty and it is taking him a little longer than expected to clean that one spot.

HFG · 09-12-2004, 06:55 PM

I have had my conch dissapear weeks at a time (and there is barly enough sand to cover it. Then there are times i just cant go a day with rescuing it from getting caught in the rocks.

My Queen conch is a bit more predictable. Even if it doesnt move around the nose is out cleaning up around its burrow.

I wouldn't worry if you don't see it for a week or two.

Jive Turkey · 09-12-2004, 08:12 PM

Like Derek says, leave it alone until hermits go after it.

I have never had a conch, but if it's aware and moving here and there, I imagine it'll be alright. Maybe it is reproducing.

redlion4 · 09-14-2004, 06:22 PM

Happy to report the conch is back out, moving about, and cleaning. Was just wierd to have it sit under the sand for over a week. Don't know if that area is/was really dirty and the conch was going to town on it, or if it was just taking an extended break. Thanks to everyone for input and reassurance.

Ryan.

HFG · 09-15-2004, 07:13 PM

Mine has been back under for over a week.

I have a theory... not only do the most likely eat and move around under there, but I think it is a cleaning proccess...

I have a queen conch that cant find a place to get fully under the sand any more (Unlike my "Jerry Conch"). Its shell is covered w/ macro algea now... sure that wouldnt be the case if I had a full on DSB it could hang in for a week or two at a time.