Endangered Species Status Review of Queen Conch, Strombus gigas (Linnaeus 1758)
This document summarizes and synthesizes biological information covering queen conch, Strombus…
Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Strombus gigas
The queen conch is a large gastropod mollusk; belonging to the same taxonomic group (Mollusca). Queen conch are slow growing and late to mature, reaching up to 12 inches in length and living up to 40 years. They have a sandy-colored, spiral-shaped shell with a bright pink or orange interior.
Queen conch live in sand flats, seagrass beds, and are associated with coral reefs. Queen conch are herbivores that browse for plant and surface algal material. Queen conch are found throughout the Caribbean and in the Gulf of Mexico (Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary), south Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Queen conch are highly sought after for their meat and are one of the most valuable species in the Caribbean. Learn more about their current fishing/harvest status.
Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Mollusca | Class | Gastropoda | Order | Littorinimorpha | Family | Strombidae | Genus | Lobatus | Species | Lobatus gigas, also known as Strombus gigas |
---|
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/20/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/20/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/20/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/20/2020
Due to concerns over the status of queen conch, NOAA Fisheries initiated a status review of this species in December 2019. This status review will be used to determine whether listing of queen conch as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act is warranted. During this time, queen conch is considered a candidate species under the ESA.
We have opened a 60-day public comment period. Submit comments through February 4, 2020.
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/20/2020
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/20/2020
This document summarizes and synthesizes biological information covering queen conch, Strombus…
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/20/2020