Underrated Clean Up Crew members?

[Greybeard]

Not typically considered part of the clean up crew, but Tangs and Rabbitfish are far more effective at removing nuisance algae than any snail or crab I've ever owned. Along the same lines, algae blennies, sand sifters like the diamond goby should probably be considered part of the clean up crew, as well. I have a bi-color goatfish. He not only hunts down flatworms and other pest critters as well as any wrasse, but also keeps the top layer of sand turned over, without the wholesale rearranging of your sand, and even rock, that some fishes can do.

Another underrated CUC member: The lowly sump monster. Big, ugly rock crabs, gorilla crabs, even overgrown emerald crabs. Something along these lines helps keep detritus from accumulating in low flow corners of your sump.

I've had fighting conch in the past, and liked them... but ended up with a pair of tiger sand conch this time around. I have to say, they're much more active than the fighting conch were.

I'm with others on the sand sifting stars, never had much luck keeping them long term. Guess I just don't let my sand get dirty enough to support them.

 

[RichReef]

Sally Lightfoot.

 

[rhastareefer]

I need to try some new things. I have like brown coralline on most of my sand.. Its so ugly and I cant get it out. If this cucumber thing doesn't work I will get a sand sifting star.

Are you sure it's not lobophora variegata? Mine likes to chill in the sand too heh

I would suggest lawnmower blennys for underrated algae grazers. Trochus snails for furry rocks

 

[wowkingjames]

Thanks for the info.

 

[savetheocean]

Yep. Actually eats the sand. Then poops clean sand. He's a good one. Had him about 3 years.

I just got two cucumbers for my 75, I can't turn on the flow without them being tossed around EVERYWHERE! Will that stop?

 

[big deddy]

I may just have to try that! Thanks!

mine never has any problem.

 

[jayala12]

Trochus snails from algaebarn..... machines!!!!!

 

[crayon]

Abalone. It’s like a giant snail, grazes on algae like crazy and these things are bullet proof. Had a pair for almost 4 years. Just don’t try getting them off the rock. Impossible.

 

[chris85]

Mini stars, pods, worms, mussels, clams, phytoplankton, and algae!!

 

[tiggs]

The GOAT of underrated CUC members is the bristle worm, in my opinion. I know a lot of people go to great lengths to remove them, but they're actually very efficient.

 

[madweazl]

In my tank, nothing comes close to the work the tiger pistol and diamond goby put in. The sand stays nice and they're constantly kicking stuff up for the corals to munch on.

 

[malacoda]

RE: cucumbers - I wouldn't go with more than one per 50g (unless you have a huge bioload). Two came with the live rock and sand I got for my 24g. One slowly shrank away to nothing (starved to death). The other is still going strong and thriving after 2.5 years.

AFAIK, the Caribbean/Atlantic species - such as the one posted on the previous page - are non-toxic and will not poison/nuke a tank if they should some how get shredded by a powerhead. Many Pacific varieties on the other hand are, and can.

 

[125gSW]

Are cucumbers safe among corals, hermits and other inverts? So many interesting CUC members i personally never thought of purchasing myself

What what y'all recommend? 125 gal, ~1.5in sandbed

I've heard sand shifting starfish are hard to keep

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Fighting Conch Snails, enough said

+1

I never clean my sand. It's always spotless.

 

[Wh00pS32]

The GOAT of underrated CUC members is the bristle worm, in my opinion. I know a lot of people go to great lengths to remove them, but they're actually very efficient.

I really agree with this.
Bristleworms are the only ones that can get into every nook and cranny in a tank.

 

[sundog101]

Conch and urchins

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

emerald crabs they never stop!

 

[Brian W]

My vote goes to sand sifting starfish and nassarius snail. I have never had to clean my sand bed since I put them in my tank.

 

[Dburr1014]

I planning to get a Molly Miller blenny. Noted to eat aptaisia and cyno.
Crossing fingers.

 

[chris85]

I planning to get a Molly Miller blenny. Noted to eat aptaisia and cyno.
Crossing fingers.

I catch alot of Molly Miller's here in the gulf and they don't eat aiptasia. There is a blenny here called a crested blenny that will mow them down but they also eat euphyllia.