Other critters to stir sand

[DeeDeeK]

Hey, I saw a post wherein somebody suggested some other critters than mts, blackworms, and digging fish.

Could somebody (somebodies) please repeat that list o' suggested inverts? I can't find the old post!!!!!!

PLEASE??????

 

[LiveMermaid07]

I would like to know that too. ?

 

[DeeDeeK]

OK, I give up. I'm getting the fins and snorkel and diving in with a garden spade and a darned rake! C'mon, somebody help us out! I know there's somebody out there with good ideas!

Oh, I thought of kuhli loaches, which will dig into loose sand pretty enthusiastically if they sense there's something down there or if its loose enough to really dig into - mine hide body below the surface and peek out. They're real rascals and if there's no more blackworms or tiny snails to chomp on, they'll actually eat sleeping Endler's males - seems the ladies are just too big to bite!

 

[Khemul]

Wouldn't have figured a Kuhli big enough to eat even a young fish. But mine are in with bigger loaches and barbs so anything small enough for them to look at for food is already on everyone else's menu.

As for sand sifters, not sure on inverts but quite a few loaches enjoy it. Kuhlis and Dojos will move in and out of sand, but if they don't have a reason to do it they sometimes won't bother. Horseface loaches will definitely dig. They are adapted to 'swimming' through the sand. The last one I added to a tank vanished into the sand without any hint it was ever there to begin with. Haven't seen it since. Assuming it is still alive though, unless that tank somehow managed to absorb a 5-6" dead fish without any signs at all.

 

[Fozzybear]

Malaysian Trumpet Snails are a digging invert. I've got them in my tank and they seem to do a pretty nice job of it.

 

[drdud]

The Malaysian Trumpet Snails do burrow. Most of the time most of my population of about 4 quadrillion are out of sight. Not sure why, but sometimes they all surface and wiggle around on top of the substrate making it look alive!!! Only get them if you want lots of them. However, I know they keep everything stirred up.

Not sure how much of a bioload they produce though.

 

[jm1212]

ever thought of stirring up the sand yourself? that's probably the best solution. i wouldnt add a fish just to stir up the sand. if anything, MTS will help a bit.

 

[slackline]

Freshwater clams will stir a little.

 

[user_name]

Freshwater clams will stir a little.

untill they die and nuke the tank...

MTS is the only thing I can think of right now, I think that eartheater cichlids will help too, just make sure you have a big enough tank. Most of them are pretty peacefull and colorful too...

 

[jetajockey]

she already mentioned MTS in the original post. The only other one I know if is assassin snails.