Good rule of thumb would be that whelks are found in temperate water and conchs are found in more tropical waters. Also, conchs have eyeballs, while whelks have eyespots. If you’re lucky enough to catch them while feasting, whelks are carnivores and conchs are herbivores. Also, their body colors are different. Conchs tend to be green or gray while whelks are tan or whitish (but can be other colors).
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Identification tip: conchs (stromboidea) have eyeballs, whelks have eyespots.
Are conch present in the mid Atlantic?
Occasionally! The Mid-Atlantic extends down to NC (for me …) and I know they have seen them there in warmer months. Great question!