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Strombus maculatus
Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Tiger Conch - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Tiger Conch requires a minimum of 30 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (2 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Tiger Conch sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
The Tiger Conch needs a tank of at least 30 gallons, a temperature of 76-80°F (24-27°C) and pH 8.1-8.4. Adults reach about 2 inches and live 5-7 years. Best paired with peaceful tankmates of similar size and water-chemistry needs.
Tiger Conch requires standard reef parameters held tightly stable: Temperature: 76-80°F (24-27°C) Specific gravity: 1.025 (refractometer-measured) pH: 8.1-8.4 Alkalinity: 8-9 dKH Calcium: 420-450 ppm Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm Ammonia + nitrite: Both 0 ppm Nitrate: Under 10 ppm Copper: 0 (lethal to invertebrates) Tiger Conch is sensitive to copper - never medicate the display tank with copper if Tiger Conch is present.
Tiger Conch is a detritivore. Eats uneaten food, fish waste, and biofilm. Generally finds enough food in a stocked tank without supplemental feeding. If population thins, drop in algae wafers or sinking pellets weekly. Feed Tiger Conch appropriately for its size + activity level.
Tiger Conch is generally peaceful and compatible with most reef community species. Avoid keeping with predatory fish that view inverts as food: large wrasses (especially halichoeres + thalassoma), triggerfish, pufferfish, and certain large angelfish. Multiple Tiger Conch can share a tank but compete for food. Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Tiger Conch and similar species.
Tiger Conch reaches 2 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 5-7 years with proper care. Many marine inverts molt periodically; provide adequate calcium and a stable parameter regime to support healthy molts. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (2 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern.
Tiger Conch is sensitive to copper, ammonia spikes, low oxygen, and rapid parameter swings. NEVER use copper medications in a tank with Tiger Conch. Symptoms of stress: reclusive behavior, color loss, refusal to feed, abnormal molting (incomplete or stuck molts). Most Tiger Conch deaths trace back to acclimation shock or parameter mismatch - drip-acclimate over 45-60 minutes when adding to a new tank.
Tiger Conch (Strombus maculatus) is native to Indo-Pacific reef ecosystems, with wild populations distributed across coral reefs, sandy lagoons, and rocky tide pools. Captive specimens are typically wild-collected; some species are starting to be aquacultured but most Tiger Conch sold today still comes from wild reef collection. Sustainable sourcing matters - look for vendors who can verify their collection practices, and consider aquacultured alternatives when available.
Other species in the same category with care profiles on Fast Aquatics. Click any name for the full husbandry breakdown.
Tiger Conch taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.
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