What's the best sand-sifting fish?

[Anonymous]

Okay, I've pretty much resigned the fact that getting rid of my tiger goby was a dumb thing to do. I figures it was depriving my sand bed of 'pods, and I had cauerpa in my tank, so I wanted to see if I could cause a pod explosion. I removed the goby and a sixline wrasse, and yet do not see pods everywhere as I expected. So...I'm giving up and would rather see my sandbed nice and white again, which is how the goby used to keep it.

Is there any fish that is better than the goby (or more attractive color-wise) at stirring up the sandbed and keeping it nice and white?

Thanks for any help...

Peace,

Chip

 

[mgk65]

How about getting a queen conch or a cucumber instead? They will not kill your sand bed of beneficial critters and keep the bed clean.

mgk

 

[Anonymous]

Specific specimen suggestions and where to order them would alo be appreciated.

I thought Queen Conches were not reef safe? I have heard they consumed polyps...

Peace,

Chip

 

[Mouse]

Apparently queen conches are reef safe and have been highly recomended by many members. Edible Cukes and tiger tails were also on the same list. I have seen snails that stir the sand bed, i think there called Cerith Snails, check out ISPF.

 

[yznhmr]

http://inlandaquatics.com/ go here to get the cerith snails and queen conchs.. i got mine here and am very happy, both very cool creatures to watch..

 

[Modo]

You said that you haven't seen alot of Pods in your tank. The ones in my tank only come out and night. If you shine a flashlight around the sandbed it looks like somebody kicked an ant mound. But, during the day I have never seen a single one.

I'm sure you tried it, but you might give it a shot if not. I imagine that you have a healthy population if there is no predators around. Just a thought.

 

[Anonymous]

I know...I'm talking about viewing the tank at night and seeing none of them at all...

Peace,

Chip

 

[Modo]

Sorry, didn't mean to point out the obvious. But, I can't imagine you not having any...

I would go with the cuke and some Nasurius though.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I'm definitely getting a couple of tiger tail cucumbers. Now I just have to find a place that has some other stuff that I want so I can get enough stuff to justify the shipping.

Peace,

Chip

 

[fishfarmer]

Nassarius snails can be obtained through Paragon Aquatics www.paragonsales.com. They are a detritivore which buries in the sand and will come out when you feed.

 

[White-Queen]

Cerith snails dig around in the sandbed? I put some in and hadn't been able to find any in awhile but I haven't been looking around the sandbed as much!

Angela <><

 

[canadawest]

I have a pair of Tiger-tail cukes as well as a Pink Hawaiian cuke in my tank. The Tiger-tails are excellent for cleaning the sand, they vacuum it up all night long, leaving clean white sand trails behind them. The Pink Hawaiian though tends to stay on the rocks, doesn't move much, so I wouldn't recommend it for sand cleaning.

I also have Cerith snails which will plow through the top inch of the sandbed occasionally, as well as the glass. I hear that Nassarius snails stay entirely in the sand and stir it up pretty well, but they are harder to find.