Ideas for a small sand sifter

darb · #1 01-10-2011, 12:44 AM

I am looking for ideas for a small (2 inches would be ideal) sand sifter for my 20 long. It will be in with a 6 Line Wrasse, Flame Hawk and 2 O. clowns.

paddyob · #2 01-10-2011, 12:51 AM

Either a Rainford Goby or Hectors Goby would be my suggestions. I have a Rainford Goby in my 70 and he is doing great job. Stays low as well so he does not drop sand over all the rocks and corals.

BlueTang<3 · #3 01-10-2011, 01:31 AM

+1 on the rainford goby, the two spot gobies are a great fish too little less hardy.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...164&pcatid=164

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...216&pcatid=216

noirsphynx · #4 01-10-2011, 01:46 AM

I'd say a two spot goby.

paddyob · #5 01-10-2011, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noirsphynx

I'd say a two spot goby.

Very touchy fish. They do better in pairs than alone. As nice as two spots are... not, as Wes mentioned, as hardy as some out there.

phi delt reefer · #6 01-10-2011, 12:46 PM

Florida Fighting Conch - hands down the best sandsifter out there. Just check out nano-reef - lots of 20 gallon ish tanks and these guys swear by them. they bury into the sand and do their thing and look pretty neat too. They can get big but you can trade em in with your LFS once a year and get a little guy. I think they get as big as 4"

michika · #7 01-10-2011, 01:56 PM

Lipstick conchs are good little workers too. I keep some in every tank I have.

Magma · #8 01-10-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phi delt reefer

Florida Fighting Conch - hands down the best sandsifter out there. Just check out nano-reef - lots of 20 gallon ish tanks and these guys swear by them. they bury into the sand and do their thing and look pretty neat too. They can get big but you can trade em in with your LFS once a year and get a little guy. I think they get as big as 4"

+1 on the Fighting Conch

I have 2 of them in my 40gal, both about an 1.5" long and they are geat, they turn over the sand and they also crawl on the rocks once and a while really cool to watch them.

Rogue951 · #9 01-10-2011, 07:23 PM

I have 4 tonga nassarius in my 40 breeder. they don't sift the sand but they do stir it.
they burrow under until they smell food or night time and then they come out and forage for dead stuff to eat.
Cerith snails also burrow although they're prone to getting flipped over and stuck.

darb · #10 01-24-2011, 05:00 AM

Great, thanks all.

Going to give the Rainfords Goby a try, hopefully it will work with my Flame Hawk ....