Shrimp/Invert suggestion- Which to get?

[Everyones Hero]

Before I setup my tank I wanted to get a Pistol/Goby combo, but after doing some reading I've found out that it's hit or miss with getting them to pair.

I'm looking to build a community/SPS tank. I've got a Springer's Dottyback & Lawnmower Blenny, a few Margaritas, Astreas, Nasses, & a Peppermint Shrimp.

The Nass snails don't do a good enough job of turning over the sand bed like I was hoping they would. Yes, they burrow in, but they don't move it around enough.

I was told that a Pistol Shrimp would be great for moving around the sand bed.

-Which is a good species to get?
-What goby would it pair with?
-What other inverts are good for mixing up the sandbed?
-Where can I find one?

I've gone into my LFS every week for over a month & they have yet to get any Pistols in so I'm ready to look elsewhere.

Thanks,
-Nick

 

[chrisstie]

I would say once a shrimp's "cave" is established, he wont necessarily stir up your sand. However, a goby and pistol pair are ultimately rewarding in their amusing behavior so I'd say they're worth getting one anyway. I have had a yellow watchman and shrimp for 2 years now and they are fantastic. I find the YWG isnt as shy as some of the smaller gobies.

As far as your sand bed though, have you thought of trying a cucumber?

 

[Everyones Hero]

I had considered a cucumber, but with the tank still being new & me being new to the hobby I don't want something that has the potential to melt & destroy my entire tank.

 

[michael_cb_125]

Luckily the Tiger tail cucumbers are not as likely to "nuke" a tank. I have them in every tank I own, and in my Girlfriends tank. I started with two, now I have 6. They do an amazing job at cleaning then sand bed. I even have one in my Bare Bottom tank. He keeps his tail in th rock and reaches out to the small little detrius piles that occur. I would seriously look into one, if you want pretty white sand.
~Michael

 

[Everyones Hero]

They wouldn't bother any corals would they?

Where could I find a Tiger tail?

 

[michael_cb_125]

They dont bother anyone. All they do is eat dirty sand and poop out clean sand pellets.
Your local fish stores may have them. I ordered my two from Liveaquaria.
~Michael

 

[Everyones Hero]

I was looking on LiveAquaria. It says that they attach to a rock & only reach out. If that's the case it will only be able to get the sand that's near it.

I need to find something else I want first, since you need to order at least $30 worth of corals/fish/inverts.

 

[michael_cb_125]

It is funny.
All the TTC I have (except the ones in the BB Tank) crawl all over the tank. And size is almost impossible to determine. I have a cuc that can be anywhere from 3" to 14" at any given time.
~Michael

 

[Everyones Hero]

That's good news.

I need to find some place local. There's supposedly a great place that's a little over an hour from here.

The TTC & 3 Sexy Shrimp are $80 after shipping.

 

[plateboy3293]

Shippings a rip off now a days with all the fuel increases.
I currently have an atlantic cuc and he always cleaning the sand bed eating. He split once but have been unable to find the other half.

 

[Everyones Hero]

I saw the deutirus CUC, but I don't think I really want a couple of sea stars in my tank. I don't think they'd last & I don't want them crawling on corals when I start getting more.

I want to find an East Coast supplier because I think that would save on shipping. I want to check the place up the road from me. I've heard they're awesome, but it's over an hour away.

 

[tetra-tag]

You might look for some of the mini-brittle stars which are reportedly good for keeping the rockwork clean and will not bother corals. Project DIBS is working with several species which breed in captivity, and a couple of other vendors offer them for sale.
http://www.projectdibs.com/

An east coast source for cucumbers and other invertebrates of which I am sure you are aware:
http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/

 

[Everyones Hero]

Thanks. I hadn't checked pacific east yet. Their shipping is the same as the rest, but they charge an extra $10 for handling, making it even more expensive.

Seems like shipping is a flat rate $35 no matter where you order from.

 

[Everyones Hero]

I went to the local LFS the other day to see if they had any Tiger Tail Cucumbers. They didn't have any of them but they did have a Tiger Pistol Shrimp, which I got. Haven't seen him since the day I got him. Saw the antennas of my peppermint shrimp, though.

Went to a place a little over an hour away to see if they had any TTC. They said they probably did, but I'd have to find one. I spent 1 1/2 hours looking for one but couldn't find one so I picked up 4 sexy shrimp & a yellow watchman.

 

[OceanDweller]

I am a bit precarious as to cucumbers as I believe they are supposedly toxic if they die thought I could be wrong.