I had a diamond sand sifter that died today. It was constantly sifting during the day time and after a week or so I was lucky to get a glimpse of it sifting. I put mysid shrimp and carnivore sinking pellets as well as flake food when feeding the others to help seed the sand and yet three weeks later it was found barely alive and quite skinny. I saw a website that says they should always be paired as a single sifter will wither and die. Has any one else heard this? Also what is microfauna? The website stated their diet is close to 80 percent on this. I plan to dismantle my reef tank a small 55 and then after building a tunnel system for them to hide in recover with sand and put the reef back in place. " however I would appreciate any advice. Don't want them dieing. Thanks
Sand sifting gobies
- Thread starter James7733
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eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
I have seen them kept singly, so that shouldn't be an issue.
Near constant hiding is not normal, if one is hiding frequently it is often a sign of being bullied.
Microfauna is the microscopic life found within the substrate, copepods and such. They will populate the tank on their own. Give ita couple months.
Sifters don't really use a tunnel system, they will build their own dens.
Near constant hiding is not normal, if one is hiding frequently it is often a sign of being bullied.
Microfauna is the microscopic life found within the substrate, copepods and such. They will populate the tank on their own. Give ita couple months.
Sifters don't really use a tunnel system, they will build their own dens.
TD13
Well-Known Member
+1 for something picking in it. I've only ever had single. They borough under rocks and pile sand up everywhere. I have kept one in a 28 gal nano, albeit a smaller fish, he was great till he got too big. I now have a twin spot and he's doin fine too!
Stubaca
Active Member
I have had a diamond goby for about 4 months now and thriving on his/her own. I feed at least once a day. Mysis shrimp and even some smaller pellets. I also feed live black worms sold by my LFS. His belly looks plump and kinda rolls from side to side on it! Lol... He/she is constantly sifting in the sand and made his own tunnels and dwellings under most of the rocks in the reef! Excellent addition to any tank typically. Great for moving that sand around! Now to why yours didn't do well.... My first guess would be with the other guys here that he/she was being bullied! Also possibly some sort of intestinal parasite. Do you run a uv or ozone? In any case I would just take a chance on another and keep a close eye on em! Nake sure no other tank mates are constantly chasing him/her. Even live brine shrimp or the mysis shrimp should get him/her eating. Best of luck!
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
I've kept several types of sand sifter for years in various tanks and they do fine singly.
Some don't eat prepared foods well and will starve as our sand beds do not provide enough sustinence. I would say in my experience with several species is that 60% of them do fine and are hardy additions. The other 40 don't eat what you feed the fish and die. Very unscientific and observational but maybe others can confirm or negate that.
Some don't eat prepared foods well and will starve as our sand beds do not provide enough sustinence. I would say in my experience with several species is that 60% of them do fine and are hardy additions. The other 40 don't eat what you feed the fish and die. Very unscientific and observational but maybe others can confirm or negate that.
