How big is the Milk conch?

Milk conch (Lobatus costatus) reaches 15–28 cm in length.

At what depth can you find the Milk conch?

Milk conch is found between 1–30 m deep.

What is the conservation status of the Milk conch?

IUCN status: Least concern (LC).

Where can you find the Milk conch?

Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.

Milk conch (Lobatus costatus)

Key facts

Scientific name: Lobatus costatus
Common name: Milk conch
Category: Molluscs
Family: Strombidae
Genus: Lobatus
Size: 15–28 cm
Depth: 1–30 m
IUCN status: Least concern (LC)
Danger level: Harmless
Habitats: sand, seagrass
Behaviours: solitary, slow
Ocean zones: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific

Description

Lobatus costatus reaches 28 cm. Large gastropod with a thick beige-to-white shell, low spires with blunted spines, very thick flared lip (hence milk conch) edged in pink to orange. Flesh eaten across the Caribbean. Moves slowly over sandy bottoms and seagrass between 1 and 30 m by characteristic leaps on its hooked foot. Cousin of Strombus gigas (Aliger gigas, in seed) but smaller and stockier.

Photo of Milk conch

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Milk conch?: Milk conch (Lobatus costatus) reaches 15–28 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Milk conch?: Milk conch is found between 1–30 m deep.
Is the Milk conch dangerous to divers?: Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Milk conch?: IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Milk conch?: Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.

Other species in the family Strombidae

Sources

Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 565363)
Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4963454)
Conservation: IUCN Red List
Encyclopedia: Wikipedia