As a matter of interest, I would like to know CONCH-Lers opinion on the
commoness of Conus Geographus.  I don't have the best shelling eye in
the world, but I have collected on a goodly number of Pacific Islands in
the past 35 years or so, and have only found several specimens.  As it
is usually a shallow water species, I certainly would have found more if
it were really common (whatever that definition of common is).  How many
specimens do you see in a snorkle in suitable areas?

Patty:  As to growing Conus.  Yes, it can be done if you know how and
have the patience.  Frank Perron grew almost every Conus found in Hawaii
from eggs.  He raised them to a juvenile stage as part of research.  He
also collected data in situ about the growth rate of Conus.  I had
several articles by Perron in past IHSN issues.

Usually, venom is collected from live cones, maintaining them in an
aquarium for almost their normal life expectancy (about a 2 years for
Conus obscurus which I furnished to U. Utah for venom work.  Bruce
Livett (on CONCH-L) and works in this nuclear biology area is well
experienced in this field and has raised cones and milked them
repeatedly for venom, and can comment further on this subject.

I think you will find that a substantial number of CONCH-Lers are very
interested in molluscan animals.  We are a very varied group covering a
large field of interests.
--
                     Aloha from Wesley M. Thorsson
Editor of Internet Hawaiian Shell News, a monthly Internet Publication
           122 Waialeale St, Honolulu, HI  96825-2020,  U.S.A
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