Queen Conch
Aliger gigas
Also known as Strombus gigas, Lobatus gigas, Conch, Pink conch, Carrucho, Caracol reina
Culinary Profile
Conch has a sweet, slightly smoky flavor, similar to abalone or clam. Fresh, farmed conch is sweeter and more tender than frozen, wild conch.
Conch meat is firm with a slightly chewy texture.
Queen conch is a good low-fat source of protein. It is high in vitamins E and B12, magnesium, selenium, and folate, but is also high in cholesterol.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Queen conch are characterized by a large, heavy, whorl-shaped shell with multiple short spines at the apex, a brown and rough operculum, and a pink interior of the shell lip. They have long eye stalks that can be moved independently and a tube-like mouth called a proboscis that can pull into its shell if threatened. Queen conch can grow up to 12 inches and weigh up to 5 pounds.
Biology
Queen conch is a long-lived species, generally reaching 25 to 30 years old and are believed to reach sexual maturity around 3.5 to 4 years of age. Upon reaching sexual maturity, they stop growing in length; and thereafter, the shell lip grows only in thickness. Size at maturity can vary depending on environmental conditions.
Where They Live
Range Queen conch occur throughout the Caribbean Sea, the Florida Keys, and around Bermuda. In the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), they can be found in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. World map providing approximate representation of the queen conch's range. Habitat Queen conch use different habitat types including seagrass beds, sand flats, algal beds, and rubble areas.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Conch from the U.S. Caribbean is available during the open season.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
The United States is a major importer of queen conch, due to the limited harvest allowed in federal waters and U.S. Virgin Islands territorial waters. In 2021, commercial landings of queen conch meat from St. Thomas/St. John (territorial waters) and St. Croix (federal and territorial waters) combined were 31,000 pounds, valued at $201,000. In Puerto Rico (territorial waters), commerical landings in 2019 were approximately 136,000 pounds, valued at $864,000. These figures are based on the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Queen conch are primarily caught by hand, so there is minimal impact on habitat and little bycatch. The queen conch fishery has a long tradition in the Caribbean region. The meat is sold either fresh or dried.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Queen Conch ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 6 / 111 | 95% |
| Zinc | 2.8 mg | 8 / 111 | 93% |
| Vitamin B12 | 9 µg | 12 / 106 | 89% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 259 mg | 28 / 104 | 73% |
| Protein | 18.5 g | 57 / 111 | 49% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 113 mg | 75 / 104 | 28% |
| Selenium | 34.6 µg | 81 / 106 | 24% |
| Phosphorus | 133 mg | 111 / 111 | 0% |
Other Southeast Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Queen Conch.
Blacknose Shark
Carcharhinus acronotus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Caribbean Spiny Lobster
Panulirus argus
Mild and sweet.
Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis
Mild but distinct flavor, somewhere between bass and halibut.
Gray Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus
The meat of gray triggerfish is uniquely sweet. It tastes more like crab than fish.
King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla
King mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark, strong-tasting meat a…
Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus
Red snapper has a sweetly mild but distinctive flavor.
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
Spanish mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark, strong-tasting mea…
Vermilion Snapper
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Queen Conch, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Queen Conch found?
Range Queen conch occur throughout the Caribbean Sea, the Florida Keys, and around Bermuda. In the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), they can be found in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. World map providing approximate representation of the queen conch's range.
What else is Queen Conch called?
Queen Conch is also marketed as Strombus gigas, Lobatus gigas, Conch, Pink conch, Carrucho, Caracol reina.
Is Queen Conch a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
Per 100 g raw, Queen Conch supplies 259 mg of EPA and 113 mg of DHA — the two long-chain omega-3s most cited in cardiovascular research.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught queen conch is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed under a rebuilding plan that allows limited harvest by U.S. fishermen.
Stock Structure
Queen conch is overfished ( 2005 Caribbean SFA Amendment ), but is not subject to overfishing based on 2022 catch data.
Population
The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Primarily harvested by hand, so there is little impact on habitat.
Bycatch
Primarily harvested by hand, so the fishery is very selective and there is little, if any, bycatch.
Management
Managed under three island-based fishery management plans in federal waters, and under Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands regulations in territorial waters: Fishing for or possession of queen conch is prohibited in federal waters off Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. John, but is permitted in the territorial waters off these island areas.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 19 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.