Florida Fighting Conch Eyes
This species is closely similar to strombus pugilis the west indian fighting conch which has a more southerly range.
Florida fighting conch eyes. Strombus alatus commonly known as the florida fighting conch contains a small jagged spire at the top of the shell and about seven whorls. Six species live in the greater caribbean region including the. One morning i set out to photograph the face of a fighting conch. There is a downward slope to the upper portion of the outer lip.
Around 50 living species were recognized which vary in size from fairly small to very large. Fighting conch snails can reach 7 10 cm 3 to 4 inches in length. Maximum size 5 inches. Feeding fighting conch.
Lime many other invertebrates the fighting conch does not handle nitrate well so keep a close eye on the levels of organic waste. Alatus between 3 6 weeks following eye removal but began to slow down thereafter. The shell can be as large as 112 mm 4 4 in. This species requires express mail and does not qualify for free shipping.
Therefore we measured rates of eye regrowth and tested how visual performance changes during the process of eye regeneration in the florida fighting conch strombus alatus. Alatus shells have less prominent subsutural. You must also refrain form using copper based medications in the aquarium while keeping fighting conch. These florida fighting conchs are adults and are usually shipped around 3 inches or so.
The front of the shell is designed with two curved edges. After an hour of walking and photographing all sorts of creatures i finally found the ambassador i was looking for. In addition the key characters of florida fighting conch snails are relatively thin and pointed spinners compared to other strombus species. But it was the eyes of the florida fighting conch that really captivated me.
Strombus is a genus of medium to large sea snails marine gastropod molluscs in the family strombidae which comprises the true conchs and their immediate relatives the genus strombus was named by swedish naturalist carl linnaeus in 1758. This conch occurs in the western atlantic ocean from north carolina to florida and the gulf of mexico louisiana texas and the east coast of mexico. We found that rates of eye regrowth were greatest in s. The florida fighting conch feeds through a trunk like mouth and eyes that are on long stalks and are individually movable making them an interesting creature to watch.
Their shell has a dark reddish brown often mottled with orange brown or having zigzag bars of color on the shiny parietal wall. These edges allow the eyestalks to look out from under the shell and become aware of its surroundings keeping the rest of its body safe. Individuals have thick shells with blunted whorl spines and range in color from faint yellow to a deep brown. Jun 28 2018 explore regina young s board fighting conch crafts followed by 141 people on pinterest.
