Looking for a good sand cleaning fish....

[Arizonah13]

Hi - I'd like to get a good sand sifting type fish for my 29g tank, but I'd like it to be one that doesn't entirely rely on filter-feeding the sand (meaning, they'll also eat food that I add to the tank).

Does anyone have any suggestions for a fish that would be suitable for my tank size (with 2 occ. clowns, green clown goby, cleaner shrimp)?

Thanks

 

[jdareef]

A diamond goby would be a good choice. Make sure you have a secure lid though as they do jump. If you're just looking to stir up your sand you could also add a sand sifting star or 2.
Joseph

 

[lhm nole]

Rainfordi goby

 

[scubarob]

Any of the goat fishes... They are the ultimate sand cleaners

 

[the lars]

Had a Rainfordi goby once..Favourite hobby was to pour sand on my tridacna :/ didn´t sift much sand..

Diamand goby should be a much better choice since goat fish get very big. Stays one the ground - but it may decorate the cave which it chooses to live in

 

[Arizonah13]

Great suggestions - thanks everybody! I do like gobies, so I'll do a little more research on the ones suggested.

Thanks again.

 

[fcmatt]

a diamond goby can really move a lot of sand. in a 29 gal tank will it be happy
and could it possibly put sand in places you really do not want it?
As someone mentioned above.. it is a jumper for sure. It will find that smallest area
where there is no lid and get out.

what about a hector goby that is pretty, moves around less sand, and might be happier
in a smaller tank?

 

[Nerd1717]

FYI, I'm fairly sure diamond gobies can eat through your sand fairly quickly, and will starve if you don't have them eating prepared foods. I don't know that its that much of an issue getting them to eat, but its something else to consider.

 

[awdboxer]

Diamond goby for sure. He'll sift through the sand all day and keep it nice and white. You shouldn't have any problems getting them to eat prepared food...mine's a pig and will eat anything you throw in the tank.

 

[inthesea]

Dimond goby's will easly eat preped food and great sand sifters, but they are jumpers. I had one go thru egg crate.

 

[Arizonah13]

Diamond gobies are beautiful, but it makes me nervous that LA says a 50gal tank minimum - that really does make me think they might not be 100% ideal for my 29 gal cube. (too bad, because they are neat!)

The Hector's Goby actually looks like it might be the perfect choice!

Thanks again everyone - I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Mavrk]

Are you sure you don't just want to put in some snails to stir things up? Sand sifters will desiccate the beneficial critters in your sand bed. They will keep it white though. You could go either way, just throwing it out there that there are other options. If you get a sand sifting goby, make sure your rock work is steady in case they burrow.

 

[the lars]

I also had a Hector´s - got her *** whooped by my sixline so I had to take her out..in general same as a Rainfordi - nice to look at but they dont clean much sand..plus they get pretty high to drop the sand..

I think you would be fine with a small diamond goby..if you choose the Hector´s for white sand you might be disappointed + it can be hard to get them to eat prepared foods - you should have a pretty high pod population..

 

[small alien]

Are you sure you don't just want to put in some snails to stir things up? Sand sifters will desiccate the beneficial critters in your sand bed. They will keep it white though. You could go either way, just throwing it out there that there are other options. If you get a sand sifting goby, make sure your rock work is steady in case they burrow.

Yes. Rethink you're approach a tad. I'm guessing your sand looks kinda yucky and that's why you want some sifting done. Is that correct? What does your sand look like? You may have an issue with nutrient levels or uneaten food if your sand is extra funky looking.

In general, it seems that effective sand sifters are simply too effective for their own good except in very large, established tanks. This includes the sand sifting gobies and the stars as well for a tank your size. A band of marauding nassarius snails would be a good way to keep your sand turned and also eat leftover food. I like the tiny little ones myself. Also, Cerith snails burrow a little.

Finally, sometimes upping your flow a bit can freshen the sand bed by jostling the grain just enough to keep things cleaner looking.

Post a picture of your sand bed if you can.

Good luck.

 

[Arizonah13]

Yes. Rethink you're approach a tad. I'm guessing your sand looks kinda yucky and that's why you want some sifting done. Is that correct? What does your sand look like? You may have an issue with nutrient levels or uneaten food if your sand is extra funky looking.

In general, it seems that effective sand sifters are simply too effective for their own good except in very large, established tanks. This includes the sand sifting gobies and the stars as well for a tank your size. A band of marauding nassarius snails would be a good way to keep your sand turned and also eat leftover food. I like the tiny little ones myself. Also, Cerith snails burrow a little.

Finally, sometimes upping your flow a bit can freshen the sand bed by jostling the grain just enough to keep things cleaner looking.

Post a picture of your sand bed if you can.

Good luck.

I think you've nailed it! My sand definitely looks a little dirty - primarily around the corners. It wasn't that bad until I added my sun coral which I target feed daily. I was just hoping for something to help turn the sand over a bit and help to eat any leftovers.

I've already got 2 trochus snails, 2 nass. snails, and I HAD 7 blue leg hermits, but the big ones would not leave my sun coral alone, so I banished them to one of the back chambers of my cube until further notice (so 4 hermits actively at work in the main tank).

Any suggestions of more snail or janitor critters?

I already do a 10-15% water change every week, but think I would benefit from adding a skimmer just because of my "messy eater" coral (with intentions of likely getting more of these NPS/big eaters)

Thanks for the great info btw!

 

[Toddrtrex]

FYI, I'm fairly sure diamond gobies can eat through your sand fairly quickly, and will starve if you don't have them eating prepared foods. I don't know that its that much of an issue getting them to eat, but its something else to consider.

I had (( the key word being "had" )) one in my 75 a couple of years ago, it went through the food in the sandbed fairly fast, and even though it was eating prepare foods, it still slowly starved to death -- over the course of a year. For myself, I will never buy one again, and think it would be a poor choice for a 29.

There are other ways of keeping a sandbed clean if that is the reason for getting one.

 

[d0ughb0y]

I had good luck with my diamond goby. one of the most useful fish I got. eats any kind of food, cleans the entire sandbed (not just a small section) everyday. swims around actively, does not bother any fish. you can usually get one for under $20 (I think I paid $15 for mine). and yes, it will clean your yucky sand like no other fish or invert can.

I had a rainford goby before. due to its smaller size, it can barely make any dent as far as sand shifting and cleaning. same for nassarius and cerith snails.

 

[small alien]

I already do a 10-15% water change every week, but think I would benefit from adding a skimmer just because of my "messy eater" coral (with intentions of likely getting more of these NPS/big eaters)

A couple thoughts. If you feel it really is just caring for that one coral that is throwing your tank out of whack, maybe ask if that coral is worth it. You could rehome that coral and get another specimen sometime in the future when you have a bigger tank or have added a skimmer.

That said, if you have the $$$, definitely get a nice little HOB skimmer. You'll be glad you did. I have used an AquaC Remora with some good results. They are a bit loud but if you do the paper towel mod (google it), it helps a lot. Many other fine brands of HOB skimmers. Ask around or do a thread on it in the equipment forum. Skimmers are good. :twitch: