Queen Conch (alternate names: Pink Conch, Caracol Rosado)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Littorinimorpha, Family: Strombidae, Genus: Aliger, Species: Aliger gigas · Strombidae (True Conchs) · Gastropod (univalve); whole shell with a highly flared, winged lip and spiral spire.
Species
Aliger gigas (formerly Strombus gigas)
Shell Type
Gastropod (univalve); whole shell with a highly flared, winged lip and spiral spire.
Family
Strombidae (True Conchs)
Size
Approximately 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) based on visual comparison. Adults can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm). This appears to be a sub-adult or young adult due to the lip thickness.
Color & Pattern
External: Off-white to creamy base with mottled pinkish-brown and orange streaks on the spire and dorsal side. Internal: Bright white to creamy interior with a notable yellow-orange tint on the columella. Most pink coloration has likely faded due to sun exposure or age.
Rarity
Common in its native range but protected; Uncommon to find as a perfect beach-wash specimen with an intact flared lip.
Habitat
Shallow marine waters in seagrass beds (especially Thalassia testudinum) and sandy substrates. Typically found at depths of 1–30 meters.
Geographic Range
Tropical Western Atlantic; including Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, and throughout the Caribbean Sea to the northern coast of South America.
Description
A heavy, large-bodied gastropod featuring a high, pointed spire with blunt knobs on the whorls. The most striking feature is the large, wing-like outer lip which thickens significantly in adults. The shell surface is rugged and calcareous exteriorly, contrasting with a smooth, porcelain-like interior aperture.
Key Features
Large flared outer lip; 'stromboid notch' near the anterior end of the lip; blunt spines/knobs on the spire whorls; polished, glossy aperture and columellar area.
Collector Value
Moderately desirable. Common specimens sell for $20-$50 depending on size and color. Large 'Gem' specimens with deep pink interiors can be more valuable. International trade is strictly regulated under CITES Appendix II.
Condition Notes
Good condition. The wing is largely intact with minor chipping on the edges. There is visible sun-bleaching on the internal pink hues, turning them white/yellow. No obvious predatory 'punch holes' from octopus or whelks are visible. Collectibility Grade: Fine.
Interesting Facts
The Queen Conch produces rare, non-nacreous 'conch pearls' which can be highly valuable. The animal moves using a 'hopping' motion by digging its operculum into the sand. It is culturally iconic in the Bahamas and is featured on their coat of arms.
Ecological Role
Primary herbivore/detritivore that grazes on algae and seagrass epiphytes. They are a vital food source for nurse sharks, loggerhead turtles, and larger predatory snails like the Horse Conch.
Similar Species
Milk Conch (Lobatus costatus) which is smaller with a much thicker, blunter lip; Roostertail Conch (Aliger gallus) which has a much longer, thinner extension on the upper lip.
Beach Finding Tips
Look in the wrack line after storms in the Florida Keys or Bahamas. However, most found on beaches are broken fragments. Living specimens are protected; only empty shells should be collected where local laws permit.
Notes
Pass