Horse Conch Snail

The Horse Conch is one of the largest marine snails in the Western Atlantic, renowned for its impressive, elongated shell and slow-moving predatory lifestyle. Despite the name, it is not a true conch but a large predatory gastropod.

Coloration: Shells range from bright orange to reddish-orange on the exterior, with a smooth, glossy surface. The interior is typically pale orange or cream-colored. The body itself is soft, often yellowish to orange.

Abundance & Typical Size: Horse Conchs are uncommon but can be found in sandy or seagrass habitats. Adults can reach up to 60–70 cm (24–28 inches) in shell length and weigh several kilograms.

Behavior & Aggressiveness: They are slow-moving predators, feeding primarily on other mollusks, especially smaller conchs and whelks. They are non-aggressive toward humans but actively hunt prey in their environment.

Reproduction & Sexuality: Horse Conchs are dioecious (separate sexes) and engage in external fertilization. They are not hermaphrodites.

Venom: Non-venomous and harmless to humans, although their strong foot and radula allow them to drill into prey shells.

Tenure in Captivity: Extremely difficult to maintain in captivity due to their large size, predatory diet, and specific habitat needs. They are rarely kept in home aquariums.

Fun Facts:

• Horse Conchs are apex predators of many smaller mollusks, including commercially important species.

• They can live up to 20 years in the wild.

• Their bright orange shells are highly sought after by collectors, which has led to population declines in some areas.

• They use their muscular foot to move slowly but efficiently over sandy bottoms.