<P> Conch (/ kɒŋk, kɒntʃ /) is a common name that is applied to a number of different medium to large - sized shells . The term generally applies to large snails whose shell has a high spire and a noticeable siphonal canal (in other words, the shell comes to a noticeable point at both ends). </P> <P> In North America, a conch is often identified as a queen conch, found off the coast of Florida . Queen conchs are valued for fish bait, and are also known as seafood . </P> <P> The group of conchs that are sometimes referred to as "true conchs" are marine gastropod molluscs in the family Strombidae, specifically in the genus Strombus and other closely related genera . For example, see Lobatus gigas, the queen conch, and Laevistrombus canarium, the dog conch . </P> <P> Many other species are also often called "conch", but are not at all closely related to the family Strombidae, including Melongena species (family Melongenidae), and the horse conch Triplofusus papillosus (family Fasciolariidae). Species commonly referred to as conchs also include the sacred chank or more correctly shankha shell (Turbinella pyrum) and other Turbinella species in the family Turbinellidae . </P>

What kind of animal lives in a conch shell