Crown Sand Conch (Strombus sp.)

The Crown Sand Conch (Strombus sp.) is an Atlantic sand conch that plows through the sand bed grazing algae, diatoms and detritus, keeping the surface clean and turned over. It is reef safe, peaceful and easy to care for, a great addition to any clean-up crew with an open sand bed. Browse our saltwater livestock and supplies for the rest of the crew.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 20 gallons or larger with a sand bed at least 1 to 2 inches deep.
• Water parameters: 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.023 to 1.026. Like all inverts, it does not tolerate copper.
• Feeding: grazer. It eats film algae and detritus from the sand. Supplement with sinking Hikari Algae Wafers if the sand stays spotless.
• Acclimation: drip acclimate slowly. Snails are sensitive to sudden salinity changes.
• Flipped over: a healthy conch rights itself. If one stays upside down for hours, turn it over.

Specifications

Compatibility

Works with nearly all reef fish and inverts, including Strawberry Conchs, Cerith Snails, Blue Leg Hermit Crabs and cleaner shrimp. Avoid triggers, puffers, large wrasses and hogfish, which eat snails.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Hikari Algae Wafers as a supplement when the sand bed is too clean
• Strawberry Conch and Cerith Snails to round out the sand-bed crew
• Blue Leg Hermit Crabs for rockwork cleanup
• Water test kits, since snails are sensitive to swings in salinity and nitrate

FAQ

How many do I need?
About one per 20 to 30 gallons of sand bed.

Will it bother corals?
No. It stays on the sand.

Can it starve?
In a very clean tank, yes. Add a sinking algae wafer now and then.