The Strombs or True conchs are a large and diverse family, often with beautiful shells not only in colour but also structure which makes them very collectable. Some of the most massive shells are produced by snails of this family, namely Lobatus gigas and goliath which produces huge shells over a foot long and weights more than 2~3 kilos!
Many are eaten as food or delicacies. I myself have eaten numerous species and all of them taste really good. Many species can be identified into this family with the “stromboid notch” in which their eye stalks protrude from and have specialize operculum that enables them to “jump” to escape predators (probably because they taste so good!) they even use this operculum to “stab” potential predators when they get caught. I have experience this especially with active species like the Laevistrombus turturella when picked up.
This family also produces many hybrids especially the lambis sub-genus that has clear characteristics of both parent species. In my opinion, it is a great family to start a collection from or to specialize as there are many species with a variety of size, shape and colour, most species are easily available at quality, inexpensive and interesting.