Conch Buries Itself
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55683
Printed Date: January 14 2026 at 7:49pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Conch Buries Itself
Posted By: Fatman
Subject: Conch Buries Itself
Date Posted: April 11 2012 at 5:35pm
| My conch has buried himself for the past three days. Normally he's out and active. Any ideas as to why? |
Replies:
Posted By: pilot_172
Date Posted: April 11 2012 at 5:59pm
| mine do that all the time |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: April 11 2012 at 6:16pm
Mine used to do that all the time too...but you could've just asked me in person...if you ever came over to see us anymore.  But noooo, you're just out buying aquarium stuff that *I* wantd. *Sniffle*------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: April 11 2012 at 6:42pm
| I just thought he was dying and being tidy about it. |
Posted By: phys
Date Posted: April 11 2012 at 7:24pm
| mine does that.. maybe just runs out of stuff on the surface? |
Posted By: backwards32
Date Posted: April 19 2012 at 4:25pm
| Some times I don't see mine for months a time. But he is fine |
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: April 19 2012 at 4:41pm
| Still can't find him. I was beginning to worry! Must be buried in the sand having a rest. |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: April 29 2012 at 9:19pm
|
Any news? Mine's been hiding in the same spot with only one eyeball sticking out for almost 2 weeks now. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: SkylerS
Date Posted: April 29 2012 at 9:44pm
| Aren't conch snails sand dwellers? |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: April 30 2012 at 2:32pm
|
At first the snail may be actively out and about looking for food. Eventually it learns the finite limits of it's home. The time comes when it has cleaned the sand/has eaten everything in the sand that it cares for. Then it just weakly waits for the end to come. It will foray out from time to time to find new tiny morsels of food. When the tank is taken down the empty shell is discovered. This is the sad tale of many Conch Snails. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 1:27am
| Darn. We even named him. The kids will be devistated. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 11:04am
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In some cases it has eaten it's fill and is resting until it needs to eat again. In other cases, there are two options to keeping it alive: - research what a Conch eats and provide it supplemental food, just like feeding the fish - remove the Conch and give it to someone with an older, larger reef aquarium that still has plenty of food in/on the sand. A major purpose of the WMAS is to " http://utahreefs.com/index.php?q=node/10" rel="nofollow - promote responsibility and education of the marine hobbyist ". Please go to that link and read the entire mission statement. The best way to research your desired tank addition/change is by asking the responsible reefkeepers here in this forum.  That is what this responsible hobbyist recently did, " http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56018" rel="nofollow - Conch or Cucumber? " ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 11:40am
I don't know, Mark... 
I have 3 Fighting Conches and 2 Cucumbers (A Yellow and a Tiger Tail) in my 93g and they don't appear to be on the verge of starvation
Conches are from the Fragstock # 1 in 2011 and so is 1 of the cukes... so about a year old now. 2nd cuke was just added last month...
The Conches do bury themselves, sometimes for several days, and then reappear.
My Cukes love to leave those little 'sand pellets' all over the place
 ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 5:47pm
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And as I recall, you were feeding this tank a lot, per your own admission in your "Brown Sand Blues..." thread. It concerns me when a hobbyist buys something without knowing how to care for it or adds something intended to correct a problem they have no experience with. On the other hand, it's extremely pleasing to me to see what Shayne did recently in http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56018" rel="nofollow - Conch or Cucumber? ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 6:31pm
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Mark, first off, I can assure you that Fatman asked a "responsible reefkeeper on this forum". I live next door to him and visit almost daily, and his tank should've been able to sustain a conch longer than this. I highly suggest you think before you assume everyone in this hobby is unethical and post about it. Fatman's tank is one of the best looking and healthiest tanks I've seen for someone as new as he is to the hobby. And...he is also more up-to-date with current technologies and care for creatures than many of the "experienced" reefers on this forum. It concerns me when a hobbyist assumes other hobbyists buy things without knowing how to care for them.  I think I could be considered (debatable of course) as one of the more "responsible" reefkeepers here. I quarantine and treat all my corals, fish, and I have a hospital tank dedicated to saving unwanted/dying fish and corals from the local community. I also use a cleanup crew that regenerates itself (buying snails/crabs that will just die once their job is done is not responsible.) Again, please think about how your posts come across to everyone on this forum. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: DLindquist
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 9:23pm
Interesting. By "your own admission", you've lost upwards of $2,000+ worth of livestock during your early years. Was this because you had no knowledge of the specimens required care, added something intended to correct a problem you had no experience with or because you had no one around named Mark to belittle you each time you didn't take his antiquated advice? As I've said numerous times before, your way, my way, or even the Lords way is not the only way. (Although I tend to err on "His" side). Anyhow, I often wonder how many people set out to maintain a tank resembling some of the higher end systems like Brad's or Connies's and are led to believe a "poor mans wave maker" and an algae filled display will get them there. Please remember there are people that can, and I'm sure do, benefit from your advice. However, there are many others looking for the advice that quite frankly, you are not qualified for. Keep this in mind when you decide, yet again, to go off on one of your tirades. ------------- A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have. |
Mark Peterson wrote:Posted By: wickedsnowman
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 9:36pm
Ohh this is getting good I think I need some popcorn. I swear we have the exact same argument happen every few months. Lol..... |
Posted By: Christianwaisath
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 9:39pm
| Wow really guys. I started about 8 months ago and have gotten great advice from mark. Idk why this thread needs to turn into everyone flaming him.. Even if you guys don't agree with his advice. No reason to go on rants about the man |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 9:58pm
I decided I would rather not get into this... ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 9:59pm
He's hiding from Mark...  ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 10:01pm
|
OK, before everyone has a COW... Mark knows I love him and I am just KIDDING! ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 10:03pm
Hahaha I needed to smile today! ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: DLindquist
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 10:06pm
Don't we all? ------------- A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have. |
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 10:10pm
|
Well, great news! We were moving some of the coral to permenant locations tonight and we found him. Well, not exactly him, just his eyes and mouth sticking out of the sand. He was watching us and feeding. Looked like he was hungry after his rest. Nice to have him back. The kids can cancel the funeral that was set for Thursday. Hope they don't tell the Relief Society that he's back. I love funeral potatoes. Thanks all for letting me know that he was likely just hiding out. Now if I can just find that money I sent to Washington last month like we found him..... Fat |
Posted By: McClure
Date Posted: May 01 2012 at 10:56pm
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Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: May 02 2012 at 3:12am
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I'm glad to know that I was wrong. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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