Ideas for a sand stirrer type fish

[Serioussnaps]

Hey...

I need a fish that will keep the substrate stirred up to keep deitrus in suspension.....an algae eater would be nice but its ok if its not....also i want a fish that spends most all of their time on the sand....keep in mind this is an SPS reef so nothing that will pick at polyps. Any ideas?

Copperband BF, Clown and six line are the tankmates by the way


Thanks everyone.

 

[hgbarwick]

I don't think that their is a sand sifter that is also eats algea. What size tank do you have? If you have a 55 gallon get a orange diamond goby. My little guy sifts sand all day long. Just make sure you don't have any coral in the sand, he will bury them. If you want an algea eater just get an emrald. Mine eats algea all day.

 

[violaceous]

Ditto for the diamond goby, but you must have a tight-fitting lid. Mine was named Houdini for his weekly escape attempts. He finally succeeded through a 1 1/2" hole that was uncovered for about 24 hours. He was an awesome fish too. Since his eyes are on the top of his head he wasnt as quick at mealtime, so I trained him to eat from the end of the turkey baster. lol Great personality, but as mentioned, doesn't eat algae. May be risky for a smaller tank though -- my 6 line bullied him.

Turbo snails are constant grazers and emerald crabs will eat algae (even bubble algae in many cases.)

You could also go for a blenny if you want an algae eating fish, but he won't stir the sand.

Good luck!

 

[Serioussnaps]

Thanks for the ideas...but the main goal is a sand stirrer...i cant cover the top...i need evap to dose more kalk and dont want to cut down on light in the reef

 

[hgbarwick]

I don't hav a top on my tank. My diamond has never jumped except for my old one who jumped into the overflow.

 

[fishermania]

These are great sand sifting gobies.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=206