Queen Conch Pictures

Conch viewed from below.

Large adult Conch viewed from above. This may be what you might see while diving.

A young conch often referred to as a "roller" since without the large adult "lip" on the shell these conch will roll in the surf.

Conch Veliger, the planktonic stage of the conch.

A conch shell which has been taken over with a LARGE hermit crab.

Conch Shell Horn

The Key West Conch Shell Blowing Contest was created in 1962 as an integral part of Old Island Days, a culture and heritage celebration established by the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Musical ability is not a requirement in the annual "conch honk." Instead, sounds are judged on their quality, duration, loudness and novelty. Some sounds are novel indeed, resembling bleats or squawks. A few entrants, however, manage impressive displays of mollusk musicianship. Retired teacher Kathe Betz of Milwaukee captured first place in the 2002 contest by using double- and triple-tonguing techniques to tootle her way through a portion of the "William Tell Overture."

Conch Tools

These shell projectile tips were fashioned out of the columella, or central column, of the conch shell. In the Rio Grande Delta, shell was used to make many tools that were ordinarily made of stone in inland areas of Texas

These pendants were also made of conch shell columellas.

Conch Pearls

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Other Conchs

Horse Conch

Pleuroploca gigantea - Not a Strombus Conch. The State shell of Florida. Found mostly in bays on grass flats they can also be found along the Gulf. Quite a large shell they can reach up to 24"

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Hawk Wing Conch Shell

Strombus raninus. This thick shell features darker colors on the exterior and a reddish aperture. Common from S.E. Florida to Brazil in shallow water. Measures approx 2.5".

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Florida Fighting Conch Shell

Strombus alatus. Despite its agressive name, the fighting conch is a vegetarian. Range from North Carolina around Florida to Texas. Found on sand and gravel in shallow waters. Measures approx 3".

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Rooster Tail Conch Shell

Strombus gallus. Found offshore to 30 feet from Florida to Brazil. Measures approx 5".

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Crown Conch

The crown conch is not a "Strombus" conch, Melongena corona is a shallow water gastropod that lives in colonies on muddy sand in quiet bays and lagoons, usually in the shade of mangrove trees or along the edges of smooth cordgrass marshes. In areas with more wave action they grow smaller spines with some local colonies developing smooth shells.