Bottom feeding fish?

Dustinba · Dec 19, 2018

I have a biocube 32, with about 40lbs of live rock, about 1 1/2 inch Aragonite sand, so it isn't the super fine sand. I'm looking for something to help along side my cuc and eating the food that has sunk to the bottom. Open to suggestions.

EmdeReef · Dec 19, 2018

tehmadreefer · Dec 19, 2018

Most aquarium fish will eat food off the sand bed.

Jesterrace · Dec 19, 2018

A sifting goby would be a good choice.

408Dartfish · Dec 19, 2018

A diamond goby maybe a couple fighting conches.

Jesterrace · Dec 20, 2018

Yup, I would recommend the conches over the goby personally. They don't make a mess, they just clean.

mort · Dec 21, 2018

Sifting gobies can be a pain, especially in smaller tanks so I'd go with nassarius snails, a conch or hermits. You could also look at the non sifting gobies like a yellow watchman, wheelers etc which are great little fish.

Dustinba · Dec 22, 2018

yeah i was looking into gobies, but everything i have seen says they need to be fed multiple times a day. I will be running pods in my fuge, but obviously that will take a bit of time to get populated.

KrisReef · Dec 22, 2018

Jawfish?
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/jawfish-bristleworm-eater.511777/#post-5405734

Dustinba · Dec 22, 2018

KrisReef said:
Jawfish?
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/jawfish-bristleworm-eater.511777/#post-5405734

i did look into those, but i don't think my sandband would be deep enough for them. Its about 2 inches at its highest point

mort · Dec 22, 2018

Dustinba said:
yeah i was looking into gobies, but everything i have seen says they need to be fed multiple times a day. I will be running pods in my fuge, but obviously that will take a bit of time to get populated.

Sand sifting goies do need regular feeding but yellow watchmen or the other species that pair with pistol shrimps are fine with one daily feeding (although feeding before you go to work and when you get back can be best) as they don't really move much. Their charm is they sit there and look grumpy at you which doesn't take much energy. They also happily take any food you add to the tank so you don't need anything special.

I love KrisReef's suggestion of jawfish. They are a species that takes a little dedication and planning but they are worth it ime. You'd be surprised how they will take a 2" sandbed and make it 4-5" where they are and bald everywhere else. True little bulldozers.