sand cleaner questions

[bankspower]

I have a question about sand cleaning critters for my 55 gallon aquarium. I had a diamond watchman goby who did a great job of cleaning the sand bed, but despite my valiant efforts to thwart his escape he got out. I'd like to try something else that won't try to escape as much as he did. Here's what I currently have in the aquarium:

-1 clownfish
-1 fire shrimp
-1 cleaner shrimp
-9 mexican turbo snails
-7 scarlet hermit crabs

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

Shawn

 

[want2reef]

Try a tigertail.

 

[AZDesertRat]

nassarius snails

 

[bankspower]

thanks for the super fast replies guys. How many nassarius snails would you recommend to keep the sand bed clean in my tank?

 

[AZDesertRat]

I would start out with 8 or 10, they reproduce so you will soon see more come out whenever you feed. Otherwise you rarely see them as they stay just under the surface of the sand.

 

[bwayne315]

I would agree with the nassarius snails. You could also add a sand star.

 

[bertoni]

I'd limit Nassarius vibex to 4-5 or so for that tank size. They eat only leftover food. N. vibex won't reproduce in our tanks, usually, although other snails do get sold as Nassarius.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Sand sifting stars will eat every living thing in your sandbed and soon starve, especially in a smaller system. I made that mistake and soon had the Sahara Desert with nothing living in it. It took 6 months of sand trades and Ocean Pods additions to get it back anywhere close to where it was. If you tank were larger I would recommend a fighting conch but even that would eventually grow too large and starve unless you overfeed.

 

[xinumaster]

bet a brittle star for sand shifting. Don't get the green one it will kill your small fish for diner.

 

[bankspower]

I take it the general concensus as 5 Nassarius snails, and one Brittle star for sand stirring and detritus eating duties? If so I'll go out and get them today. The sand isn't too bad now, just some brown stuff partially covering it.

Thanks

Shawn