how do you guys keep your sand so clean?

[hotrodolds]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14840329#post14840329 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newguy1983
What the heck is that thing?

That thing is great mackeral bait Florida hopper or a White shrimp not sure exactly which that is. Just your normal table shrimp really. I had no idea they had any interests in burrowing into the sand though.

Im from just north of jacksonville, on the ga line. Im down that way quite a bit when not in school. I might just pick a few up and give them a shot next time im down there.

We put those suckers to use in the keys over spring break.

 

[newguy1983]

How big is it? (I knew it was a shrimp, but what kind)? Do they live in your tank the whole time or do you just get rid of it when you don't need them?

Sorry for the questions and thread hi-jack, but I am fascinated...

 

[luvreefs23]

buy black sand. lol

 

[kaylo]

I got a diamond watchman gobie and he pretty much turns my whole sand bed for me. It's pretty amazing the area he can cover.

The first one I got committed suicide by jumping out of the tank, but #2 seems to love it. I watched at my LFS for the most active one I could find and he went to town as soon as he dug his hole for a home.

 

[hmello@bermexin]

Nassarius, Cerith and fighting conch work for me.

 

[ice cream jones]

I would consider getting a yellow headed sleeper goby. Mine spends his entire day sifting sand, and lots of it. They don't get too big, and I think one would be fine in a 30... If i'm wrong, someone please correct me.

 

[elegance coral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14840421#post14840421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hotrodolds
That thing is great mackeral bait Florida hopper or a White shrimp not sure exactly which that is. Just your normal table shrimp really. I had no idea they had any interests in burrowing into the sand though.

Im from just north of jacksonville, on the ga line. Im down that way quite a bit when not in school. I might just pick a few up and give them a shot next time im down there.

We put those suckers to use in the keys over spring break.

I thought you were from Georgia. You should be able to pick them up anywhere along the coast.

They seem to sleep in the sand with just their eye sticking out. When they're not sleeping, they are constantly digging through the sand looking for food. They don't rearrange the sand like gobies, and they are the cheapest cleaners you'll find. $2.50 a dozen. How much is one sand sifting starfish?

The last time I was fishing down in the Keys, I had to throw back two Red fish because they were to big. Great fishing down there.

 

[elegance coral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14840423#post14840423 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newguy1983
How big is it? (I knew it was a shrimp, but what kind)? Do they live in your tank the whole time or do you just get rid of it when you don't need them?

Sorry for the questions and thread hi-jack, but I am fascinated...

I don't know the exact species. They're table shrimp. The same ones people eat. They're usually between 2 and 3 inches. You can buy "jumbo' shrimp, but I don't have a use for them that big.

They live in the tank until it's time to feed the anemones or elegance corals. They make great food for critters. Fresh and no preservatives like phosphates. When I run out, I simply get more. I try not to run out though.

 

[newguy1983]

Poor Shrimp...:-(

 

[hotrodolds]

I'm from all over the damn place lol. Lived in key west as a kid. Finished school a mile north of florida and moved to Atlanta to finish college 2 years ago. I'll probably move back to the keys after school, i love it down there.

How long do those guys usually last in your tank?

As far as the yellow headed sleepers, their minimum tank size is listed at 50 but i might be able to get away with it. I'll try and round up some opinions on that.

 

[elegance coral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14840715#post14840715 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hotrodolds
I'm from all over the damn place lol. Lived in key west as a kid. Finished school a mile north of florida and moved to Atlanta to finish college 2 years ago. I'll probably move back to the keys after school, i love it down there.

How long do those guys usually last in your tank?

I can't remember having one die in the tank. They are great cleaners, so I guess it's possible some have died, and were cleaned up by the others. I imagion they would live as long as any other shrimp. I don't know how long I have kept one alive in my tank. When the supply gets low, I add more. They all look pretty much alike, so when I remove one to feed the critters, I don't know if it's been in the tank for a week or a year.

 

[elegance coral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14840707#post14840707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newguy1983
Poor Shrimp...:-(

These shrimp probably die a more humane death than the shrimp sold at the grocery store.

When you own carnivorous like anemones and elegance corals, other critters have to die for them to stay alive and healthy.