How Long Can A Conch Live Out Of Water? The 68 Latest Answer

How to tell if a clam, sand dollar, starfish, egg, or sea urchin is alive or dead

Have you ever wondered if that beautiful shell you discovered on the beach while traveling is dead or alive? In this fantastic article on Travel for Wildlife, writer Hal Brindley shares tips on how to tell if a seashell, sand dollar, starfish, egg box, or sea urchin is alive or dead so you can be sure you’re not making a mistake.

Here are some quick tips on how to tell if a sea creature you find on the beach is alive or dead, so you don’t accidentally kill live creatures when trying to collect seashells! Also check out our other post A Guide To Ethical Shell Collecting for more great tips on collecting shells in an eco-friendly way!

How can you tell if a sand dollar is alive or dead?

If a sand dollar is bleached white and appears completely bald (no tiny “hairs” or spines on it), then it’s definitely dead.

If a sand dollar looks brown and velvety, then it’s probably alive. Look at the back and see if the tiny spikes are moving. If you are not sure, leave it or take it back to sea!

How can you tell if a starfish is alive or dead?

Starfish propel themselves using thousands of tiny tentacles called tube feet on the underside of each arm. If you look closely at the underside of a starfish and see those tiny tentacles moving, then the starfish is definitely alive! If you don’t see any movement but want to be sure, gently touch the tube feet or put them in the water to see if the tube feet start to move. If you’re not sure, leave it alone or gently bring it back into the sea! Plus, they notoriously smell gross if you’re trying to dry one for your collection. Why not let the crabs and birds eat it?

How can you tell if a skate egg case is alive or dead?

There are many beautiful egg cartons that wash up on beaches. One, often found on the Atlantic coast of the United States, is sometimes referred to as a “Devil’s Purse” or “Mermaid’s Purse”. It is the egg shell for a ray (usually a clearnose skate) which is a close relative of rays and sharks. If a skate egg case has one end ruptured between the “horns” and is empty inside, then it is definitely dead and has no embryo inside! If the shell is intact and contains liquid, there is a high probability that a live ray embryo is still inside. Try holding it against the sun and looking through it to see if there is movement. In the photo below you can see a fairly immature embryo, but it will eventually grow into a perfectly formed little skate before the egg shell ruptures, releasing the baby skate into the sea!

Whether I see movement or not, I always take unopened egg cartons back to sea just in case. Maybe this skate will save your life one day in return!

Other lovely eggcrates are the long spirals of whelks and the strange masses formed by various shells and tulips.

It’s much harder to tell if these are still viable, so I always return them to the sea.

You can try the same trick with whelk eggshells, holding them up to the light to see through them. If you see tiny things floating in a liquid inside, the perfect miniature baby lightning slugs are probably alive!

How can you tell if a sea urchin is alive or dead?

Living sea urchins have short or long spines that extend all over their bodies. If you find a sea urchin with its spines intact, it may be alive. You can try to carefully bring it back into the sea with a bucket or shovel. If a sea urchin is “bald,” has no spines at all, and is empty inside, then it’s definitely dead.

How can you tell if a clam is alive or dead?

When a bivalve shell is intact and both halves are firmly connected, there is still a living being inside.

You may also encounter live, open-shelled clams feeding in shallow pools or stranded by storms. If you touch them and they close their shell, then of course they are alive!

If you are unsure, play it safe and carefully put it back in the sea.

Just take a look at spiral bowls! If you see something there, whether it’s the original mollusk or a hermit crab hidden deep within, it’s probably alive. Feel free to gently give it back to the ocean! (Although if it smells really awful, then it’s probably dead.)

This is an excerpt from an article originally published by Travel For Wildlife.

Click here to view the full story. There is also a wonderful collection of photos to help identify each shell.

A Texan tourist who collected 40 seashells from Key West, Florida has been jailed for 15 days.

A Florida judge also sentenced Diana Fiscal-Gonzalez of Dallas to a six-month suspended sentence and a $500 fine plus $268 in court costs for stealing 40 queen clams from the waters off Key West, the Miami Herald reports.

Fiscal-Gonzalez, who pleaded guilty, said she wasn’t aware it was illegal to take the clams off the beach. She planned to give away the government-protected mollusks.

Collecting empty clams for recreational purposes is legal in Florida, but the clam shells collected by Fiscal-Gonzalez contained organisms inside. Taking a live queen mussel is illegal. Killing, mutilating, or removing a live queen mussel from a shell is also illegal, states the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

More: Florida bucket list: 20 things you must do in the Sunshine State

Fiscal-Gonzalez was arrested by a Commission official on July 13, 2017 after an anonymous tipster called the agency. Officer John Martino reported seeing three containers full of clams soaked in bleach and water when he met Fiscal-Gonzalez.

Conch shells are an important part of Florida Keys culture. Native islanders are called Conchs, and the Keys are nicknamed the Conch Republic. Empty conch shells, which produce a unique sound when blown, have also been used as a signaling device in the Florida Keys for centuries.

Follow Ashley May on Twitter: @AshleyMayTweets

Shells are medium to large shelled snails with pointed shells on both ends. Some species, particularly the king clam, are consumed as seafood and used as bait. There are a variety of species and families referred to as “scallops”. Many are prized for their colorful shells, which can also be used as instruments! Read on to learn more about the clam.

Description of the shell

This variety of sea slugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. All species have a cone-shaped, spiral-shaped shell. The vast majority of mussels have a tall, ruffled tower, which is the twisted point at the end of the shell.

They also have a prominent siphon channel pointing away from the spire at the opposite end of the shell. Some species have beautifully colored shells, such as king clams, which can have bright pink inner surfaces.

Interesting facts about the clam

While these snails come in a variety of shapes and sizes, there are a few standout species. These creatures are the most notable among their relatives and have economic and cultural value.

Culinary – One species in particular, the king clam, has become a popular commodity in the fishing industry. They have been severely overfished in the southeastern United States, resulting in a ban on fishing.

– One species in particular, the king clam, has become a popular commodity in the fishing industry. They have been severely overfished in the southeastern United States, resulting in a ban on fishing. Fertility – Mussels produce hundreds of thousands of eggs when they reproduce. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of these actually develop into an adult snail, but with that many eggs, they should be able to reproduce fast enough to maintain their population… right?

– Mussels produce hundreds of thousands of eggs when they reproduce. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of these actually develop into an adult snail, but with that many eggs, they should be able to reproduce fast enough to maintain their population… right? Futility – Unfortunately, it takes at least five years for this species to reach sexual maturity. This means that while they can produce lots of eggs, many will never get the opportunity to breed if they are overfished.

– Unfortunately, it takes at least five years for this species to become sexually mature. This means that while they can produce lots of eggs, many will never get the opportunity to breed if they are overfished. Aggregation – If their slow speed wasn’t bad enough, when this species comes together to breed, they do so in large numbers. If fishermen find an accumulation, they can remove many breeding-age mussels with little effort. This is very disadvantageous for the general population.

habitat of the mussel

There is a wide variety of species living in a variety of marine habitats. Some are found in shallow, sandy areas, some in seagrass beds, and some in tropical coral reefs. Many are found in warm, tropical waters, but species can also be found in colder temperate waters and more.

Distribution of the mussel

These snails are found in oceans worldwide. Some species are restricted to small ranges or certain temperature zones, while others are more cosmopolitan and found virtually worldwide. There is such a wide variety of species that you can find these creatures practically anywhere in the world.

nutrition of the mussel

Some species are mostly herbivorous, while others are carnivorous in nature. Herbivores feed mainly on algae and underwater plants, carnivores feed on other animals. The carnivorous species eat worms and other small invertebrates, fish and carrion. Each species has different dietary requirements, some are highly specialized and others are generalists who will eat just about anything.

Seashell and human interaction

The main use of these molluscs is for consumption. There are a number of commercial fisheries to catch different species for seafood. Some of the most common uses include chowders, gumbos, fritters, burgers, and salads. They are also prized for their decorative shells. Many species have had significant impacts on diverse cultures as a food source.

domestication

These snails have not been domesticated in any way.

Is the mussel a good pet?

Some species can be kept in aquariums, but they are not intended to be kept as pets. As with any aquarium and pet, there is a decent amount of care and maintenance involved.

mussel care

Herbivorous species usually tend to themselves as long as the water quality, temperature and salinity are right. Many herbivorous species will also remove algae from the tank. Supplementary feeding may be necessary if there is not enough algae to eat. Research your species to ensure you are caring for and caring for them properly.

behavior of the mussel

For the most part, there’s not much on clam behavior. Depending on the species, they are mostly loners. Some are active during the day while others are more active at night. These creatures spend most of their time foraging for food. When the breeding season begins, some species congregate in large numbers to reproduce.

reproduction of the mussel

Each species has different reproductive strategies. While some breed through copulation, others take advantage of spawning by releasing eggs and sperm as a group. Most lay large numbers of eggs, which can either be laid in the ground or released into the water column to float until they hatch. Egg incubation times vary widely by species. In some species it can take up to five years to reach sexual maturity.

Beliefs, superstitions and phobias about the conch

The shells of different species have been used in art, religious ceremonies and as instruments in different cultures and regions. In some cultures, conch shells are used as ceremonial trumpets during parts of religious ceremonies, such as the puja ceremony in Hinduism. In works of art they are usually contained in spiritual imagery and symbolism.

Invertebrates are a great way to add variety to your aquarium. There are many different variants, but one of the most popular options for marine setups is a fighting conch.

Battle Clams may sound like aggressive animals that would be difficult to care for, but they are actually harmless and can be kept by novice aquarists.

They exhibit some very interesting behaviors to keep you hooked. Additionally, they do a great service by helping keep your tank clean.

Below we describe everything you need to know when caring for a battle shell. This includes their preferred tank conditions, ideal tank mates, diet and much more…

Fighting‌ ‌Conch‌ Facts & Overview

Category Rating Care Level: Simple Temperament: Peaceful Color Shape: Pale pink/yellow Lifespan: Up to 10 years Size: Up to 5 inches Diet: Omnivore Family: Strombidae Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Tank Build: Sea reef community Compatibility: Other reef safe creatures

There are many different types of mussels, they form the genus Strombus. Battle clams are some of the most common examples for home aquariums.

There are two main species of combat clams, Strombus pugilis (West Indian combat clam) and Strombus alatus (Florida combat clam).

These species look very similar, making it easy to confuse them. However, both can be kept in captivity. Many people don’t even know what type they have.

They are sea snails from the Strombidae family. Members of this family are often referred to as true bivalves.

Pugilis populations are found along the east coast of America, from Florida to Brazil, including Caribbean islands like Bermuda. S. alatus has a more northerly range.

Battle clams aren’t sold at most pet stores, so you may need to do some research online to find the stock closest to you. Each individual can cost $10-$20 depending on the age and size of the clam.

With proper care, a battle clam can survive for up to 10 years. They’re sometimes a bigger commitment than people expect.

Typical behavior

Her name is incredibly misleading because it makes her sound aggressive. They eat algae and detritus, so they don’t need to hunt. They are completely harmless to tankmates.

These include corals; Fighting Conchs are absolutely safely reefed. They actually help corals by eliminating algae and aerating the substrate.

They spend most of their time foraging for food. They use their strong foot to move on surfaces in the tank. This foot also helps “catapult” themselves when they are placed upside down.

They are active during the day, so you can witness all of their behavior.

Battle clams are easy to care for; Beginners should be fine adding one to their tank.

Unfortunately, their common name puts some people off before researching them.

Looks

Most people are familiar with conch shells, even if they don’t know it. They are shells that you might find on the beach, put them to your ear and imagine hearing the sound of the sea.

The shell of a battle clam is thick and strong, making it difficult for predators (like hermit crabs) to penetrate.

It is generally conical in shape with 8-9 right-facing vertebrae, each with a series of subsutral spines. In some stocks, the spines are reduced or have disappeared entirely.

The mouth is quite long and large, so this is where they are most vulnerable to predators. There is a clawed operculum characteristic of many Strombus snails.

The skin is typically quite pale and striped. Common colors are pink, cream or yellow.

These clams have well-developed eyes, which allows them to see better than most sea slugs. The eyes emerge from under the lip of the shell at the opening.

For snails, Fighting Conch is medium-sized. Clams are typically around 3.5 inches, but some individuals reach 5 inches.

The best way to sex her is to lay her on her side. When they erect, you should be able to observe a rim (in males) and an egg groove (in females).

The difference between S. pugilis and S. alatus is very small. S. alatus has reduced substral spines and a more prominent outer lip. S. pugilis has a dark purple spot at its anterior end.

Habitat and tank conditions

Battle clams are found in tropical areas along the east coast of America, from Florida down to Brazil, although S. alatus tends to be slightly more northerly.

They live in the intertidal zone and prefer shallow waters (between 6 and 32 feet) over deeper regions. These areas often include coral reefs, seagrass beds and shallow sandy areas.

As they age, they invade deeper waters and return to the shallows to lay eggs.

The waters they live in are warm, alkaline, and entirely marine. There would be plenty of access to light and water movement.

To keep your battle clams healthy, you must do your best to recreate their natural habitat in your aquarium. This is relatively easy to do.

tank conditions

These snails spend most of their time on the substrate, so it is important to choose a suitable one. Provide a thick layer of sand or mud so they can burrow easily. They could be buried for days while looking for food.

When considering the design of the aquarium, you don’t need to provide much specifically for your battle clams.

If you add decorations, they might climb on them while eating. They don’t need caves because they have their shells.

Try to keep the water parameters within their preferred range. Check water chemistry regularly to monitor ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels.

The salinity should be 1.023-1.026, the temperature should be 75-84°F and the pH should be 8.1-8.4.

If the pH drops, the acid could dissolve and weaken the skins.

Standard aquarium lighting should be fine.

What size aquarium do you need?

A 20 gallon tank should have enough room for a fighting conch. If you keep several, the larger the tank, the better.

This is especially the case if you keep multiple males. They should be given extra space to minimize aggression, although they probably won’t hurt each other.

How many can be stored per gallon?

The main concern is how much sand bed each battle shell has available. They must be able to dig and forage.

You can usually judge this for yourself based on the size of your tank.

tankmates

Because battle clams are harmless (despite the name), they can be kept with most reef-safe tankmates. In the wild, they spend their lives near reefs, so they would encounter many different animals.

The main concern is creatures that might target snails for food, including things like hermit crabs, puffer fish, trigger and hawkfish.

However, this leaves plenty of suitable options such as Clownfish, Butterflyfish, Green Chromis, Pajama Cardinalfish and Damselfish.

They can also live alongside other invertebrates such as peppermint shrimp, bonfire shrimp, bumblebee snails and astrea snails.

Keeping corals is a great way to recreate their natural habitat, but this can be quite expensive for some aquarists.

Plants can also be a good addition, especially if you want to encourage mating behavior.

Can you keep fighting clams together?

Most people keep fighting conch individually, but they can be kept together with no problem.

Keeping more than one male can lead to minor aggression, although this usually only takes the form of shoving so they don’t hurt one another.

By providing a large tank, you can help minimize aggression.

diet

Battle mussels are omnivores, meaning they eat both meaty food and vegetation, but in your aquarium they will be herbivorous most of the time.

They feed on algae, bacteria and detritus that can always be found around an aquarium.

They extend their snouts so they can use their radula (a powerful tooth-like structure) to scrape algae off rocks and other surfaces.

Bacteria and detritus are eaten as the gastropod sifts through the substrate. They spend most of their time looking for food, and digging in sand and silt takes a lot of time.

They need a lot of food, which is why they are constantly foraging for food. The amount of algae, bacteria and detritus in the tank is usually insufficient, so you will need to supplement them with your own food.

You can do this by adding dried foods like seaweed pellets/waffles. They will also eat uneaten food intended for their tankmates.

The amount of food you add will depend on the amount of algae and debris in the tank, so watch carefully. Because algae are a big part of a battle clam’s diet, don’t completely remove them when you clean the tank.

It is important to provide calcium. This is an important component in developing a strong and healthy skin. Calcium supplements are commonly available at pet stores.

Care

Besides feeding your pets, your main responsibility as an aquarist is to maintain a healthy aquarium. You need to keep the aquarium clean, which doesn’t take too much time.

Do a partial water change every 1-2 weeks and wipe off excess algae if it gets out of control (though not all so your clams can eat it).

You may need to pay extra attention to the substrate when cleaning, as battle clams like a thick layer to dig into. You can use a substrate vacuum to make cleaning easier.

Use a water test kit each week to check that the water parameters are within the preferred range for battle clams (which we mentioned earlier).

Regular testing means you can react to problems early before they can cause health problems for your snails.

If the tank is healthy, these snails should not get any disease. They are very robust and are rarely attacked by pathogens.

Their hardiness means they can tolerate small changes in their environment if the problem is soon fixed. This makes them a great option for beginner aquarists who might make small mistakes.

breed

To begin courtship, a male will use his proboscis to interact with a female, but she might jump away. He will keep trying until he succeeds.

If he manages to get the female’s attention, he will slide his penis under the female’s shell to fertilize her eggs. The female then lays the fertilized eggs on surfaces in the aquarium.

The female can continue to mate while she is laying her eggs. She is able to simultaneously spawn and hold a male’s sperm.

Fertilized eggs are very small. An egg nest could contain over 180,000 of them. They should hatch within a few days.

The young hatch as free-swimming larvae. They are very small, which makes them particularly vulnerable to consumption.

They feed on phytoplankton until they metamorphose into a juvenile conch snail after 18-24 days.

Farming battle clams can be difficult in captivity. They must maintain perfect conditions and provide nutritious nutrition.

In the wild, these snails may migrate to seagrass beds to mate, so providing plants can help encourage mating. A gradual increase in temperature to 84°F could also be a trigger.

Are battle clams suitable for your aquarium?

Hardy and easy to care for invertebrates, anyone can take care of battle clams with a little research.

Their preferred conditions are easy to replicate in the aquarium and they are largely self-sufficient in feeding.

The only reason that might stop you from adding these to your tank is if you have tank mates who eat snails as part of their diet; You don’t want your fighting conchs to go away.

These creatures make an aquarium a unique attraction. Their active behavior during the day will keep you interested while their algal grazing helps maintain your aquarium.

Is the fighting conch your favorite snail? Let us know why in the comments below…

Mussel snails (Strombus sp) come in many shapes and sizes in saltwater aquariums. They are known as dog snails, tiger sand snails, spider snails, battle snails, queen snails, etc.

However, the combat snail (strombus alatus) is the most popular species in saltwater aquariums. In this guide I will mainly talk about how to combat conch snails: how to care for them, their perfect diet, habitat and tank mates for them, how to breed them and much more.

In general, combat snails are peaceful, relatively inexpensive, and very easy to care for. They are an excellent addition to your saltwater aquarium. Read on for everything you need to know about them!

Brief notes on Conch Snail battle

Name Fighting Conch Snails Other names

Conch Snails, Florida Fighting Conch Snails Scientific Name Strombus alatus Tank Size (minimum) 20 gallons (~90 liters) Keeping Easy to Medium Breeding Difficult Size 7 – 10 cm (~3 – 04 inches) Optimum Temperature 24 – 29°C (~ 75 °F – 84°F) Water Type SG = 1.023 – 1.025 Optimum pH 8.1 – 8.4 (7.5 – 9) Optimum KH 8 – 12 Nitrate Less than 20 ppm Diet Omnivore / Herbivore Temperament Peaceful Lifespan up to 10 years Color Form Dark reddish to brown

Origins, natural habitat of conch snails

Different species of conch snails are found in tropical climates around the world. They are usually found in shallow waters and often common reefs. As they age, they often go deeper in search of food, returning to the shallows only to lay eggs.

In the wild, combat clams inhabit seagrass beds, shallow reefs, sand and boulders.

Description of the shell snails

Shell snails are easily one of the most well-known snails in the sea and on the beach. They’re iconic for having a shell that “sounds like the ocean” when you put it to your ear. Their shells are slightly conical with a spiral pattern pointing to the right. The rim of their shell curls outward rather than folding inward, making them slightly more vulnerable to predators — like hermit crabs and certain fish — than other snails. Usually their shells are also striped.

Battle snails can see motion and movement much better than regular snails. They have well-developed eyes that monitor what is happening around them. When you go to the tank, you will see them watching your every move. So if you put your hand in front of the snail, it will immediately respond by retreating into its shell and looking directly at the danger. These eyes extend under the lip of the shell and the left eye usually extends out of a notch on the side of the shell.

They also have a very long trunk mouth that resembles an elephant’s trunk.

According to some studies, the genus Strombus can live up to 10 years. Unfortunately, these mussel snails don’t live that long in aquariums.

Aquarium species of mussel snails

Control of mussel snails

Two different types of conch snails are referred to as “battle snails,” although neither is considered aggressive. Strombus alatus is known as the Florida fighting conch and Strombus pugilis is known as the West Indian fighting conch.

The two share a slight resemblance in appearance, with strong dots around their spiral and orange coloring on the outside of their shells. However, Florida fighting conch snails are found along the east coast of the United States from North Carolina to Florida, while West Indian fighting conch snails are found in the Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda, in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, and further south to Brazil. Additionally, the main characters of the Florida Fighting Conch snails are relatively thin and pointed spinners compared to other Strombus species.

Battle clams can reach a length of 7 – 10 cm (3 to 4 inches). Their shell is dark red-brown, often mottled with orange-brown or has zigzag streaks of color on the glossy crown. Clam snails have two eye stalks that protrude from under their carapace and a long snout that is actually their mouth.

Hawkwing shell

The hawkwing conch snails (strombus raninus) are Caribbean snails with a thick, heavy shell. The color is mostly brownish, with several scattered white spots. At the same time, both the inner and outer lips are cream or white. In captivity they can grow up to 10 cm. However, it will still take many years for this to happen.

Tiger sand shells

Tiger Sand Conchs (Strombus spp) are beige with darker brown bands. Its case is cone-shaped with a small crown.

The behavior of fighting snails

Despite the aggressive name, combat snails eat algae and debris and are completely harmless to other animals.

They move with their powerful foot to propel themselves. Battle shell snails have an interesting way of defending themselves. When not buried in the substrate or threatened, they can appear to leap across the ground. Even when they are upside down, these snails “catapult” themselves to right themselves.

They are quite active creatures. You can see them during the day when they are moving and eating.

Sex determination of mussel snails

There are several ways to sexually engage combat slugs (strombus alatus).

The simplest method is to observe a copulating couple and note their positions. The most efficient way to sex the Strombus alatus is to lay it on its side and notice a rim (male) or ovarian groove (female) as it rears up. According to biologists, in order to separate males from females in a large series at a glance with very little error, one must calculate the average columellar angle: 37.4° for males and 40.4° for females.

Feeding mussel snails

Although battle clam snails are omnivores, they primarily feed on algae (which other snails would never touch), bacteria, and detritus in tank environments. They will happily eat hair algae, green algae, and filamentous algae found in a tank. They consume bacteria in the substrate, as well as cyanobacteria and diatom blooms.

When the snail eats, it stretches out its long snout with radula. The radula is a type of toothed tongue that allows the snail to scrape algae from surfaces in the tank.

Important: They need a lot of food, so be prepared to supplement with other foods. While they will also eat food not eaten by their tankmates, clam snails can also be fed herbivore pellets (algae pellets, dried seaweed, etc.) if you don’t have enough algal growth.

I highly recommend reading my article How to Supplement Shrimp and Snails with Calcium. Calcium is important for good shell growth.

Is Fighting Conch Snail Reef Safe?

Despite their omnivorous nature, combat slugs are considered reef safe. When foraging, they do not attempt to nibble on coral. However, you can knock over some freestanding corals that are on the bottom.

Keeping and housing mussel snails

Combat snails’ toughness makes them easy to care for, so both veterans and novices can enjoy them.

As with any aquarium, you must always ensure that the tank is set up correctly and that the water circulates properly. This ensures you have the right bacteria that will convert harmful compounds into less harmful ones.

tank size

A small battle clam snail would be an excellent addition to the cleaning crew of a 20 gallon (~90 liter) tank. Especially if the tank is well established, enough algae and bacteria would likely already be present and being produced in the substrate to support the conch when it grows to full size.

Larger clams would need a larger tank. Basically, the more space you can provide, the better.

substrate

Battle snails should be kept in saltwater aquariums with sandy or silt substrates in which to immerse. They can disappear completely for days as they eat their way through bacteria, algae and microflora in the substrate.

Ideally, your substrate should be deep enough to dig into the ground and disappear.

Note: Battle clams are an excellent alternative to sand sieve gobies. The big advantage they have over the sand sieve gobies is that they won’t create a ridiculous sandstorm in your aquarium.

water parameters

The salinity of a tank containing a combat snail should be maintained between 1.023 and 1.026 specific gravity as measured with a hydrometer. The pH should be kept between 8.1 – 8.4. They need hard water with lots of calcium to maintain a healthy tank and grow. This roughly matches the salinity and pH of the ocean where conch snails are typically found.

Note: Low pH levels can cause the snails’ lime shells to dissolve. So if you see cracked, thin or pitted skins, it can be a sign of low pH as well as low calcium levels.

Additional measurements should be taken at regular intervals to ensure that the correct parameters are maintained for a conch-friendly reef tank. Calcium should be maintained between 420-440 ppm. Alkalinity, which is a measure of carbonate hardness, should be adjusted to a range of 8 – 12 dKH. Magnesium levels are best between 1280 – 1350 ppm. Phosphates, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates should all be at or near zero before adding livestock to a sea tank. Copper can be deadly to combat clams, so be careful with it.

temperature

As a battle clam, snails are found from shallow waters in tropical and subtropical environments. Your ideal environment is 75-84°F (24-29°C). Consider adding a heater if the temperature tends to fluctuate as these snails are hardy but need stable conditions.

Mating of mussel snails

Unlike most snails, conch snails are dioecious, with the females having an egg canal in their foot. A male battle conch must mate with a female conch and fertilize eggs before they are laid. In order to mate, a male conch must insert his penis under the shell of a female conch. If more than one male is present, the two males may fight with their proboscis.

Biologists noted a “follow-touch” courtship sequence between males and females. The males approach the females with their proboscis to start an interaction. The female would jump away from the male and refuse to copulate. The males would follow the female before copulation was successful. Fighting Conch copulation lasts from 5 minutes to 2 hours.

Fun Fact: The males can follow a chemical trail left by the females in the sand, some of which can be up to 5m away.

Note: There is no mating trend based on the size of the mating female and male.

The fighting conch males also display protective (guarding) courtship behavior. This involved male “sparring” or fighting (using her trunk) between two or three males for a female.

Breeding mussel snails

In the wild, combat slugs breed in shallow waters in seagrass beds or sandy habitats. The breeding season is typically in the summer months.

Once a male copulates with a female, oviposition occurs, although this process can occur several weeks after copulation. Multiple males can fertilize single egg masses from a single female.

Note: Researchers suggested that the egg-laying females release a pheromone that might encourage them to lay their eggs faster so they can spawn more often.

Interesting Fact: While laying eggs, males may attempt to mate with the females. The female Strombidae have a reproductive system capable of spawning and copulating (holding sperm) simultaneously.

This species of conch snail lays its eggs in long, sticky streams found on bulletproof glass or rocks. These eggs are tiny, often appearing as small as a grain of sand. Crescent-shaped egg mass contains up to 180,000 eggs.

Hawkwing conch snails

(Strombus Raninus) Fight against mussel snails

(Strombus alatus) Milk snails

(strombus costatus) egg length mass (cm) 6 – 11 5 – 8 8 – 22 number of eggs/mass (estimated) 91,000 – 250,000 76,000 – 182,000 87,000 – 440,000 number of eggs capsules per mm 21-28 11-13 11- 13

Free-swimming combat snail larvae hatch from eggs and develop into veligers, which later settle in the water column and metamorphose into the juvenile bivalve. Once the larvae hatch, they are free-swimming and feeding on plankton until they enter their next life stage. As veligers, they feed on phytoplankton until they metamorphose into a juvenile bivalve snail.

The metamorphosis takes place in 18-24 days. Mortality is high during this period.

Setup conditions for rearing larvae

If you are interested in breeding conch conch snails, I would highly recommend reading the research on it (links below). They reported that hatched larvae of Raninus, Alatus and Costatus were cultured at 20-50 veligers/L in 2-3 5L containers using established techniques. The larval water was filtered 5 μm, UV treated and changed daily. The cultures were not aerated and temperature was controlled by placing the containers in a water bath.

Larvae need to get the right amount of food at this stage of development, which can be delayed. Depending on their age, the larvae were fed daily with 3000-20000 cells/mL culture water from Tahitian Isochrysis.

Note: To increase the success rate of metamorphosis, biologists exposed larvae to the hydrogen peroxide inducer.

Shell snails and matching tank mates

Battle mussel snails can easily be kept with other fish and snails in a tank of appropriate size. They can become aggressive with another male conch snail. However, their relatively low levels of aggression (e.g. shoving) cannot harm anyone. So don’t worry about her name.

They are compatible with:

Some wrasse, coral shrimp, and hermit crabs can use the large opening in their shell to attack or eat battle snails. Although, unlike other snails, these snails are masters at shaking them off. I would still watch these pairings closely if they are comparable in size.

Finally

Battle shell snails are easy to care for. Like most conch species, they are known for burrowing into sandy substrates and keeping the sand bed agitated. Although they can eat almost anything, they are mostly herbivores. These snails are hardy and interesting to watch. They are better suited to a social tank than most

They’re just very cool looking creatures and one of the most useful snails in the saltwater pools.

Main photo by Anne DuPont

References:

The nervous system of snails

The nervous system of snails, like that of all molluscs, is fundamentally different from that of vertebrates. Molluscs, with the exception of the most highly developed cephalopods, do not have a proper brain. Instead, the cell bodies (perikarya) of nerve cells are concentrated in nerve nodes (ganglia) at key locations in the body. Mollusc neurons do not have a myelin sheath. Therefore, there can be no salt line. Instead, in highly developed cephalopods such as squid, giant axons have evolved whose large diameters allow faster impulse transport.

Basically, the nervous system of mollusks can be derived from a rope ladder nervous system, similar to that of segment worms (Annelida). It is believed that molluscs and annelids shared at least one common ancestor. The nervous system of mollusks, like that of annelids, is located on the ventral side (belly side) of the animal (which is why they are called gastroneuralia) and remnants of a metameric (segmented) division of the nervous system can be seen, at least in primordial mollusks.

In gastropods, the ganglia were originally distributed throughout the body. As the rest of the rope ladder nervous system, most ganglia come in pairs. Ganglia of the same type are connected by lateral connections called commissurae. Ganglia of different types are connected by longitudinal connections called connectors. The main types of ganglia are the cerebral ganglia of the head, the pedal ganglia of the foot, the pleural and parietal ganglia of the pallial cavity, and the visceral ganglia of the internal organs. In front of the cerebral ganglia are the buccal ganglia of the pharynx.

Left image: Esophageal ganglia (buccal ganglia) of the sea hare Aplysia californica. Source: Proekt, A.; Wong, J.; Zhurov, Y.; Kozlova, N.; Weiss, K.R.; Brezina, V. (2008) “Predicting adaptive behavior in the environment from central nervous system dynamics”. PLoS ONE 3 (11): e3678.

In most modern groups of gastropods, cerebral, pedal, and pleural ganglia are concentrated and arranged in a buccal ring surrounding the esophagus near the head: the cerebral ganglia and pleural ganglia are above the esophagus and the pedal ganglia are below.

In marine gastropods, the visceral and parietal ganglia are still in their original positions in the body and are connected to the buccal ring by long connectors. The nervous system of molluscs is referred to as the tetraneural nervous system because there are four main nerve cords: Two pairs of connectors connect the cerebral ganglia to the pedal ganglia on the ventral side. another to the visceral ganglia and parietal ganglia, which pass the pleural ganglia on the dorsal side.

Picture on the right: Tetraneural nervous system of the gastropods: 1st and 4th nerve cord: Ganglion cerebri (CG) – cerebro-pleural connective tissue (CPlc) – pleural ganglion (PlG) – pleuro-visceral connective tissue (PlVc) – parietal ganglion (PaG) – visceral ganglion (VG). 2nd and 3rd nerve cords: cerebral ganglion – cerebro-pedal connectivity (CPc) – pedal ganglion (PG). Other ganglia and nerves: BG: buccal ganglion.CBc: cerebro-buccal link. Cco: cerebral commissure. PlPc: Pleuro pedal connection. Pdco: pedal commissura. [RN]

From the cerebral ganglia, nerves lead to the tentacles and the eyes, to the vestibular organs (statocysts), to the lips and to the penis. The esophageal-buccal ganglia in front of them connect nerves to the esophagus and pharynx, salivary glands, and stomach. The pedal ganglia innervate the foot muscle and skin. The pleural ganglia are connected to the mantle. The parietal ganglia process information to and from the gills and the osphradium, a chemo-mechanical sensory organ in the pallial cavity. Finally, the visceral ganglia are often fused into a single ganglion and control the nerves to the gut, anus, skin, posterior genitalia, kidney, main digestive gland, and heart.

The visceral and parietal ganglia accompany the so-called torsion, in which the visceral sac and mantle rotate around their vertical axis so that the pallial cavity, which originally lay behind the visceral sac, comes to rest in front of it. After the torsion is complete, the formerly right parietal ganglion is now on the left and the left is on the right. Consequently, the formerly parallel connections between the parietal ganglia and the buccal ring became crossed: a situation referred to as chiastoneuria or streptoneuria (crossed nerve condition). Therefore, groups of snails whose pallial cavity and gills are in front of the visceral sac are called prosogill snails or Streptoneura.

Picture left: Nervous system of a prosobranch. Yellow: cerebral ganglia. Red: pleural ganglia. Green: pedal ganglia. Blue: parietal ganglia. Purple: visceral ganglion. The links between the pleural and parietal ganglia are crossed as a result of torsion (streptoneuria). Source: Kaestner, A.: Textbook of Special Zoology (Gustav Fischer, 1996), modified.

Picture right: Nervous system of a pulmonary snail (Pulmonata). Here the connecting links between the pleural and parietal ganglia are not crossed (euthyneuria), but the ganglia are concentrated enough that they have not been affected by torsion. Source: Kaestner, A.: Textbook of Special Zoology (Gustav Fischer, 1996), modified.

During the further evolution of snails, especially in connection with the transition to land, a concentration of all ganglia took place near the cheek mass. In pulmonary snails, too, the pallial cavity lies in front of the visceral sac. But there is no streptoneuria in this group because the ganglia have moved too far toward the head to be affected by torsion.

As with the pulmonary snails, there is no crossed nerve condition in the marine opisthobranchia. As a result, both groups had been merged as Euthyneura and opposed the Streptoneura, ie the occlusive snails.

However many traits pulmonary snails and occlusive snails share, they differ markedly in this respect: while in pulmonary snails, as noted, ganglia accumulation prevented streptoneury, in occlusive evolution it was once present, but was later reversed : During the so-called detorsion, the pallial cavity with the gills was moved back behind the visceral sac by another right rotation and the neural connections became parallel again. So the reasons for euthyneuria in pulmonary and posterior gills are clearly different, although the result is the same.

You can’t visit Nassau Paradise Island without meeting conch. Whether you’re exploring our crystal clear waters, sitting down to an authentic Bahamian meal, or looking for the perfect souvenir, conch is an island staple. So let’s take a closer look at this famous island feature.

WHAT IS KONCH?

Conch (pronounced “konk”) is a tropical marine mollusc found in the waters of the Bahamas. While there are many types of clams found around the world, the king clam is the most common in the region. The queen conch is an edible, soft-bodied sea slug with an outer, spiral-shaped shell with a glossy pink or orange interior.

Interesting facts:

– Clams are native to the shores of the Caribbean, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

– The mussel’s main enemies include loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, other species of snails, blue crabs, eagle rays, crayfish and other crustaceans.

– During the first year of life, mussels live under the sand during the day and come out at night to feed on the sand surface.

– Mussels are herbivores – they eat algae and other tiny sea plants.

– It can take at least 5 years for a queen clam to mature – it grows to a maximum of 12 inches long and weighs 5 pounds.

– The adult bivalve has a large, solid and heavy shell with knobbly spines on the shoulder, a flared thick outer lip and a distinctive pink/orange opening.

– The king clam is a long-lived species with an estimated lifespan of up to 40 years.

– Shells produce natural pearls in white, brown, orange and pink colors.

– Only adult clams should be caught.

– When you listen through a conch shell, you don’t hear the sound of the ocean, but the sound of blood rushing through the veins in your head.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND MUSSELS IN PARADISE?

Wild-caught in the US, the queen conch is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed under a recovery plan that allows for a limited harvest by US fishermen.

In December 2019, the NOAA fishery initiated a status review of this species under the Endangered Species Act. Find out more about the king clam as a candidate species for ESA.

We’re all familiar with conch (pronounced konk) shells; The beautifully formed, majestic looking shells with a pink shiny interior. These shells represent the sea and have always been a collector’s item. But what many people don’t know is that there is such a thing as conch pearls, which are produced by conch queens.

These are extremely rare, breathtakingly beautiful and very valuable.

Shell beads have been collectibles for centuries. When set in jewellery, they make stunning, luxurious pieces.

Fascinated? Read on for the 11 facts you need to know about shell beads before you buy them.

Quick Navigation 1. The number of mussel shells is decreasing.

2. Shell pearl farming is challenging.

3. Shell beads are pink through and through.

4. Mussel shells are usually not round.

5. Shell pearls are measured in carats.

6. The shell bead flame structure is crucial.

7. Shell pearls have a unique luster.

8. Shell beads and traditional beads are very different.

9. Shell pearls are extremely rare.

10. Shell bead jewelry is prestigious.

11. Shell Pearls are an elite gemstone.

1. The number of mussel shells decreases.

Beautiful shell pearl pendant. Source.

Shell beads come from the Queen Conch snail, also known as Strombus Gigas. Most shell pearls come from the Caribbean and are naturally formed. Unfortunately, the animal is now a threatened species due to overfishing and harvesting of clam shells. It is not illegal to fish for clams in Florida, and steps are being taken in other parts of the world to protect this creature.

2. Shell pearl farming is challenging.

The shape of the conch shell makes it a challenge to successfully grow conch pearls.

Scientists have attempted to grow the conch pearl, but with limited success. This is partly because conch snails are well hidden in the curves of the shell, making it very difficult to reach for the culturing process and pearl extraction. Additionally, these animals are hemophilic and will likely bleed to death before the process is complete.

Scientists are still working on cultivating shell beads, and there may be advances in the future. Up to now, all shell beads on the market are naturally formed.

To put that in perspective, almost every single regular pearl on the market has been cultured or cultured in some way.

This makes shell pearls something very special. Unlike pearls, diamonds, or moissanite, science hasn’t conquered the Queen Conch yet.

3. Shell beads are pink through and through.

shell bead ring

From The Pearl Story

The color of the shell pearl makes this type of pearl immediately distinguishable. The most prized color is pink, with shades varying from peachy salmon to pink. There are also brown and yellow varieties, but these are not common.

Some trade names for Conch Pearl Pink colors are Sakura Pink, Flamingo Pink, and Salmon Pink. Choose the color you like as there is no consensus on which pink is best.

In general, however, the pinkest pearls are the most desirable.

This video features a stunning rare shell pearl in an 18k white gold ring setting.

4. Mussel shells are usually not round.

Shell beads come in a variety of shapes and are not always perfectly spherical. The shape is important as it determines the type of jewelry the pearl can be worked into.

The rounder pearls have always been more valuable, especially since they are extremely rare thanks to the unique shape of the mussel shells. The most common shapes for shell beads are oval and baroque.

5. Shell pearls are measured in carats.

Other beads are sold in millimeters, but shell beads are sold in carats. This is another nod to how rare and valuable the pearl is. Only gems like diamonds are sold in carats (which refers to the weight of the gem, not its size).

6. The shell bead flame structure is crucial.

wait what What is a flame structure? Unlike other beads, shell beads are not made of mother-of-pearl. Instead, they are formed from layer upon layer of fibrous calcium. Due to the way these layers form, a flame-like appearance is seen in high-quality conch pearls. The flame texture is one of the most important characteristics of the pearl and really adds to the overall value.

7. Shell pearls have a unique luster.

Unlike traditional pearls, which have an iridescent luster, shell pearls have an almost porcelain-like, ceramic luster. This is caused by the composition of the pearl and the way light interacts with the layers of calcareous concretions.

8. Shell beads and traditional beads are very different.

Traditional pearls are typically white and spherical in shape.

source

While conch pearls and oyster/conch pearls both come from mollusks and are both referred to as pearls, there are many differences between these two varieties. Here are some of the differences:

Composition: Oyster/clam pearls are composed of mother-of-pearl while conch pearls are composed of fibrous calcium.

Weight: Shell beads are heavier and weigh more than mother of pearl beads.

Measurement: Shell pearls are measured in carats while other pearls are measured in millimeters.

Rarity: Shell pearls are much rarer than mother-of-pearl pearls (more on that below).

Farming: While traditional pearls have been successfully farmed and make up most of the market today, conch pearls were not farmed for commercial purposes.

Color: Traditional pearls are typically white or off-white, while shell pearls are known for their salmon pink hues.

Durability – Shell pearls are harder, tougher and more durable than mother of pearl pearls. While a traditional pearl only ranks between 2.5 and 4 on the Mohs scale, pink conch pearls rank between 5 and 6. Because the Mohs scale is non-linear, this is a big jump in durability.

Luster – Shell pearls have a porcelain-like luster that does not erode easily. As we mentioned earlier, mother-of-pearl pearls have an iridescent luster and are easily eroded, chipped, and chipped.

Shape – Traditional pearls are typically baroque in shape, but due to the sheer number of cultured pearls, finding perfectly spherical pearls is not difficult. In fact, it’s the norm. Shell pearls, on the other hand, are typically oval and round pearls are extremely rare.

9. Shell pearls are extremely rare.

Only 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 conch shells will produce a pearl, making conch pearls one of the rarest pearl varieties. Of these, only about 10% will be gem quality.

High-quality conch pearls, with their distinctive pink color, can fetch staggering prices, with a carat costing around $15,000 to $20,000. This is on par with the very best diamonds. However, you can also find good pearls around the $5000 per carat mark, while average quality shell pearls retail for around $2000.

Conch Pearls really have to be thought of as valuable as a blue diamond or a color-changing alexandrite.

10. Shell bead jewelry is prestigious.

Shell beads have been used in jewelry for centuries but were particularly popular in the Victorian era. They were perfect for cameos, carvings, and other elaborate jewelry of the era.

These beads were also popular during the Edwardian era and were also used in Art Deco jewelry. After that, however, shell beads lost popularity and fell out of fashion.

These gemstones became popular again from the 80’s and that has continued. Today, Conch Pearls make excellent collectibles, investment gems, and beautiful jewelry.

11. Shell Pearls are an elite gemstone.

While we can all agree that these gemstones are stunning and very unique, not all of us can afford to buy shell beads. These pearls are for a certain type of buyer who understands their value, sees them as the best of the best and wants to share in that prestige. While other pearls come in the thousands, these pearls are the rarest and are literally just a drop in the ocean of pearls.

If you’re curious, here’s an excellent video covering the history of conch beads. It really underscores the value of this stunning gem and is definitely worth a watch!

If you’re thinking of adding one of these special beads to your collection, buy from a reputable retailer to be sure you’re getting a real bargain. Also, always ask for a certificate of authenticity. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

Cone snails are sea snails characterized by a conical shell and beautiful color patterns. Cone snails possess a harpoon-like tooth capable of injecting a powerful neurotoxin that can be dangerous to humans.

There are about 600 species of cone snails, all of which are poisonous. Cone snails live in shallow reefs partially buried under sandy sediments, rocks, or coral in tropical and subtropical waters. Some species have adapted to colder waters.

mechanisms of injury

Injuries typically occur when the animal is handled. Cone snails sting by extending a long flexible tube called a proboscis and then firing a venomous, harpoon-like tooth (radula).

signs and symptoms

A cone snail sting can cause mild to moderate pain, and the area may develop other signs of an acute inflammatory response, such as redness and swelling. Conus toxins affect the nervous system and can cause paralysis that can lead to respiratory failure and death.

prevention

If you see a nice cone-shaped sea snail, it’s probably a cone snail. It’s hard to tell if a cone snail inhabits a specific shell, as it can hide deep inside. Since all cone snails are poisonous, play it safe and don’t touch them.

First aid

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for cone snail poisoning. First aid focuses on pain control but may not affect outcomes. The envenomation is not necessarily fatal, but depending on the species, the amount of venom injected, and the size and vulnerability of the victim, it can result in complete paralysis, which can result in death. Cone snail venom is a mixture of many different substances, including tetrodotoxin (TTX).

The prevalence and incidence of cone snail envenomation is unknown but probably rare in divers and the general population. Shell collectors (professional or amateur) may be at greater risk.

Clean the wound with fresh water and take care of the small puncture wound.

Apply a pressure bandage for immobilization. Applying heat can help with pain management, but since TTX is a heat-stable toxin, applying heat will not denature the toxin.

Watch for signs and symptoms of progressive paralysis. Prepare to provide mechanical ventilation with a bag valve mask or manually triggered ventilator. Don’t wait for signs and symptoms of paralysis. Always get evaluated at the nearest emergency room. The bite site can be painless, yet deadly venomous.

Effects on diving

For the diver If you see a sea slug with a cone-shaped shell, it’s best to assume it’s a species of cone and don’t touch it—even if the shell appears empty.

Keep in mind that all types of cone snails can cause poisoning.

If you or someone you dive with has been stung, see a doctor. Every doctor should be able to help, regardless of diving medical knowledge or training.

Don’t neglect these injuries. Although fatalities are rare, they are possible. For the diver operator: strongly discourage your customers from handling these creatures or their shells. As an expedition leader, you have a duty of care if a diver is injured during your voyage.

Carry out first aid measures as described above. There are many folkloric first aid treatment suggestions; Use common sense and don’t try non-scientific solutions. Remember that you may be liable.

Make sure you have your clients checked out by a doctor. For the doctor Treatment is symptomatic.

Complications include flaccid paralysis. Observation for 6 to 8 hours is recommended to rule out respiratory depression.

Conus toxins are composed of multiple proteins, carbohydrates, and quaternary ammonium derivatives that can cause cardiotoxicity, convulsive activity, vasoactive effects, and flaccid paralysis.

Thermocoagulation might help denature some toxin components at the wound site.

There is no antidote available.

For more information on marine life injuries, see the Hazardous Marine Life Medical Reference Book.

Cone snails are sea snails characterized by a conical shell and beautiful color patterns. Cone snails possess a harpoon-like tooth capable of injecting a powerful neurotoxin that can be dangerous to humans.

There are about 600 species of cone snails, all of which are poisonous. Cone snails live in shallow reefs partially buried under sandy sediments, rocks, or coral in tropical and subtropical waters. Some species have adapted to colder waters.

mechanisms of injury

Injuries typically occur when the animal is handled. Cone snails sting by extending a long flexible tube called a proboscis and then firing a venomous, harpoon-like tooth (radula).

signs and symptoms

A cone snail sting can cause mild to moderate pain, and the area may develop other signs of an acute inflammatory response, such as redness and swelling. Conus toxins affect the nervous system and can cause paralysis that can lead to respiratory failure and death.

prevention

If you see a nice cone-shaped sea snail, it’s probably a cone snail. It’s hard to tell if a cone snail inhabits a specific shell, as it can hide deep inside. Since all cone snails are poisonous, play it safe and don’t touch them.

First aid

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for cone snail poisoning. First aid focuses on pain control but may not affect outcomes. The envenomation is not necessarily fatal, but depending on the species, the amount of venom injected, and the size and vulnerability of the victim, it can result in complete paralysis, which can result in death. Cone snail venom is a mixture of many different substances, including tetrodotoxin (TTX).

The prevalence and incidence of cone snail envenomation is unknown but probably rare in divers and the general population. Shell collectors (professional or amateur) may be at greater risk.

Clean the wound with fresh water and take care of the small puncture wound.

Apply a pressure bandage for immobilization. Applying heat can help with pain management, but since TTX is a heat-stable toxin, applying heat will not denature the toxin.

Watch for signs and symptoms of progressive paralysis. Prepare to provide mechanical ventilation with a bag valve mask or manually triggered ventilator. Don’t wait for signs and symptoms of paralysis. Always get evaluated at the nearest emergency room. The bite site can be painless, yet deadly venomous.

Effects on diving

For the diver If you see a sea slug with a cone-shaped shell, it’s best to assume it’s a species of cone and don’t touch it—even if the shell appears empty.

Keep in mind that all types of cone snails can cause poisoning.

If you or someone you dive with has been stung, see a doctor. Every doctor should be able to help, regardless of diving medical knowledge or training.

Don’t neglect these injuries. Although fatalities are rare, they are possible. For the diver operator: strongly discourage your customers from handling these creatures or their shells. As an expedition leader, you have a duty of care if a diver is injured during your voyage.

Carry out first aid measures as described above. There are many folkloric first aid treatment suggestions; Use common sense and don’t try non-scientific solutions. Remember that you may be liable.

Make sure you have your clients checked out by a doctor. For the doctor Treatment is symptomatic.

Complications include flaccid paralysis. Observation for 6 to 8 hours is recommended to rule out respiratory depression.

Conus toxins are composed of multiple proteins, carbohydrates, and quaternary ammonium derivatives that can cause cardiotoxicity, convulsive activity, vasoactive effects, and flaccid paralysis.

Thermocoagulation might help denature some toxin components at the wound site.

There is no antidote available.

For more information on marine life injuries, see the Hazardous Marine Life Medical Reference Book.