Roostertail Conch

This photo shows the same Roostertail Conch as in the previous photo, with each photo featuring one side of the Conch.

The Roostertail Conch has a distinctive shell with a striking long extension on the top edge that resembles a rooster’s tail. The exterior of its shell displays a wide variety of colors, ranging from purple to gold to dark brown. The top whorls have small knobs, while the main body whorl has larger knobs. The opening of the shell is salmon-colored and features a wide, flared outer lip with a distinct point or tip.

This Conch is found in shallow water, typically on sandy bottoms and within seagrass beds. It is a grazer, feeding on algae and organic debris, which helps keep the seabed clean. Like other conchs, it has separate sexes and reproduces through internal fertilization, laying eggs in a long, sticky, string-like mass. This Conch is rare and has historically been collected for its shell and sometimes for food.