| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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06-17-2002, 12:07 PM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: west babylon, long island, ny
Posts: 277
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fighting conch?
okay ive got one and im trying to figure out why he's called "fighting". whats he fighting exactly? the urge to do something other than bury himself in the sand? the only thing i ever see of him, is one eye sticking out of the sand! ooohhh i get it he is part of the ostrich family isnt he??? c'mon guys fess up!!
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06-17-2002, 12:18 PM
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#2
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Klingon
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Forest Grove, OR
Posts: 1,808
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Hi, I have 3 of them and when they move the push off the sand with there foot sort of bouncing. Believe this is why they are called figting conch.
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40g 3' BB tank * 2 Seio 820's * 250w 14kk light * 190w actinic/10kk * DIY recirc skimmer.
~If I could only remember half of what I've learned~
~Jimbo~
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06-17-2002, 02:05 PM
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#3
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Holtsville, NY (Long Island)
Posts: 178
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Hey paul where did you get your fighting conch from? I really want to pick-up/order a pair for myself.
Thanks
Pete
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06-17-2002, 02:13 PM
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#4
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: west babylon, long island, ny
Posts: 277
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06-17-2002, 02:49 PM
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#5
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The Border Collie Mod
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: right now? in my chair
Posts: 13,218
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Paul,
They got the name "fighting conch" because when you pick them up they have a defense reaction whereby they swing their operculum around and try to cut you. In other words, they fight you.
Oh the operculum is that hard hatch cover attached to their foot, the door to their shell when they close up. It can be razor sharp.
Another thing, there's a big misconception on the "borgs" that the fighting conch available to the pet trade is Strombus alatus, when it's actually S. pugilis (Indies Fighting Conch)- which eventually gets much bigger. The S. pugilis available are a spin-off of the commercial seafood industry.
Jerel
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06-17-2002, 07:17 PM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Carrollton, TX
Posts: 69
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How long have you had the conch? One of mine stayed buried for the first few days, but now is always out during the day. At night (lights out and late) both of mine are likely to hide in the sand. Do you have very fine sand? Because they do move in and out of the sand bed, you really don't want the CC stuff because of the sharp edges and large size. Give hime time I think you will begin to appreciate him, and he will spend more time out in the open doing his job.
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Ed R
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06-17-2002, 07:26 PM
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#7
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Jaguar Shark
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: MA
Posts: 1,083
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Ditto on what erasmu said. Mine stayed burried for a few days but are now out and about in the day.
BTW, I remember reading (maybe in Julian Sprungs quick guide to invertebrates) that adult males will fight with each other and figured that was why the called them fighters.
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06-17-2002, 11:03 PM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: west babylon, long island, ny
Posts: 277
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yeah ive only had him for a few days so i guees ill have to wait and see. ill admit he is an interesting snail to look at especially with that one eye sticking out of the sand thing he does.  hey spanky just how big do they get? |
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06-18-2002, 08:33 AM
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#9
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The Border Collie Mod
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: right now? in my chair
Posts: 13,218
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They'll get 9-10" in cultivation, but I seriously doubt that will happen in a aquarium. More that likely around 3".
Spanky
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06-18-2002, 10:12 AM
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#10
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TRT Staff The Mominator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Just South Of Seattle
Posts: 10,493
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I'm getting two this week  Are there actually males and females or do they, ahem, swing both ways?
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 "A BRW Original"
Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow... 
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06-18-2002, 11:05 AM
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#11
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The Border Collie Mod
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: right now? in my chair
Posts: 13,218
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They are born either male of female and stay that way.
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06-18-2002, 11:29 AM
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#12
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Klingon
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Forest Grove, OR
Posts: 1,808
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Thanks spanky for the excellent info.
__________________
40g 3' BB tank * 2 Seio 820's * 250w 14kk light * 190w actinic/10kk * DIY recirc skimmer.
~If I could only remember half of what I've learned~
~Jimbo~
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