What animal keeps the sandbed white?

Coldwater · #1 06-26-2006, 07:03 PM

I have made posts like this before and I am still looking for a good thing to keep my sandbed free of crap and other junk. I cant have any inverts becuse they get their eyes bit off by my cowfish and it cant be a really small fish either because of my lionfish and moray. I had a sea cucumber that exploded once should I try another one? Any help would be really awsome.

Matt

fortheloveofcrabs · #2 06-26-2006, 07:08 PM

I've heard that conchs are *not bad* at sand bed maintence. But I have a tiger cucumber and he (well, I guess 'it') does a pretty solid job.

DanG · #3 06-26-2006, 07:15 PM

Get some sort of larger conch, a strawberry or even a spider conch if you have a big enough tank.

Coldwater · #4 06-26-2006, 08:01 PM

It is a 73 gallon FOWLR. You know how much strawberry or spider conches are? Might be a good idea to get one. Also are there any conches that would get way too big?

Matt

danny zubot · #5 06-26-2006, 08:36 PM

In your tank I'd recommend a pistol shrimp. They will hide under your rocks to avoid being eaten, and snap at any fish that looks at them the wrong way. They also stir the sand under your rocks, and at night they will gather all other rubble to use in their caves.

sphelps · #6 06-26-2006, 09:11 PM

Best thing for sand are the sifting gobies (Valenciennea). My favorate is the golden head, I've seen them as large as 4".

TheReefGeek · #7 06-26-2006, 10:05 PM

I love my dragon goby, he is a good 4-5 inches, not sure if that would be gib enough to fend for himself in your tank or not.

Problem with pistol shrimp is that they tend to burrow under/around one section of rocks for a long time, and only move around the tank occasionally, and they wont come out into the open space and tough that rock, so overall they do move a lot of sand, but not evenly or in the right places like a sifting goby does.

Xtasia · #8 06-26-2006, 10:58 PM

I have a sand dollar... tiger tail sea cucumber, orange spotted conch, court jester goby (not good with a lion fish)

there's some starfish too.

maybe try the sand dollar. I've had mine for 2 years and I just LOVE it. see it lots.

Fishguy52 · #9 06-27-2006, 02:24 AM

i have a Ladder Glider goby and he does a great job of keepling the sand clean and the can get about 6" or so. he also burrower and is fun to look at i don't know if he would get along with anyone bigger them him. just an idea

sphelps · #10 06-27-2006, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

I love my dragon goby, he is a good 4-5 inches, not sure if that would be gib enough to fend for himself in your tank or not.

Problem with pistol shrimp is that they tend to burrow under/around one section of rocks for a long time, and only move around the tank occasionally, and they wont come out into the open space and tough that rock, so overall they do move a lot of sand, but not evenly or in the right places like a sifting goby does.

Yes I had a dragon goby once as well, great sifters and they aren't supper colorful which I find to be a good thing in a predator tank.