how to keep gravel clean in large aquarium with large fish
- Thread starter mqur1963
- Start date
I have about 80 fish (some fairly large) in my 450g DT, feed 2-3 times a day...and I've not had to clean the sandbed, yet, in the past 16 months... :scratchch there are 2 or 3 cucumbers in the tank, and about 5 serpent stars, but no other sand sifters.
FWIW...I have good circulation, and change 2 XL filter socks, EVERYDAY
FWIW...I have good circulation, and change 2 XL filter socks, EVERYDAY
Here's a little info on the Harbor/Dragon Gobie posted above
that you should read before running out to get one).
http://www.reefclassroom.com/dragon-goby
Dragon Goby
Posted by Jessica ? May 23, 2008 ? Printer-friendly
There are many different types of gobies out there and while the name Dragon Goby sounds a little intimidating don't be alarmed. This type of goby serves a specific purpose in a saltwater aquarium. The Dragon Goby is known by several names which may seem a little less threatening to the average person such as, Brown-barred Goby, Pennant Goby, Harbor Goby or even Pistol Goby to name a few.
No matter what you call this goby the colors are going to be the same. It has a light brownish gray body with dark bars on it. Also there are black spots on the gill cover, first dorsal fin and the tail with some blue spots on the front of the body and the head. The main purpose for having this particular fish is sifting the sand on the bottom of your tank. "What makes this goby different from all the others?" you ask.
The Dragon Goby is generally a hardier type of goby than most others like it. This goby will keep the upper layer of sand mixed up by consuming mouthfuls of sand and pushing it right back out through it's gills. The average size for this fish is between 2-4 inches and the minimum tank size you can house it in is 20 gallons.
Their diet is pretty simple as well. It consists of small bottom dwelling invertebrates and algae. However, a varied diet is needed consisting of frozen food designed for invertebrates. Don't be alarmed when you read that it eats bottom dwelling invertebrates that it may eat your star fish or any other invertebrates you may have in your aquarium because it is totally compatible with reef aquariums as well as non-reef aquariums. It will not harm sessile invertebrates.
2 Responses ?
Heather Walker
March 13, 2011 ? 12:43 am
The picture in this article was taken by me a few years ago, though it is not credited to me. I think it is a bit disingenuous to pull a picture off of google or an aquarium forum and post it in your own article. I did email the admin at this site about it but never got a response.
I'm very glad that someone found my picture sufficient to use in an educational article, as I like to contribute to furthering the aquarium hobby, but credit should have been given.
On another note, I do agree with the information presented in the article. This was a wonderfully interesting and beautiful fish to have and it does keep the substrated well turned over. One of the only down sides is that it will hover over the rocks and spit sand all over them, so you have to blow them off with a powerhead periodically since you will get sand all over your corals. Just one of these fish was sufficient to completely turn over the substrate on a 75 gallon reef aquarium.
These fish will also decimate your copepod populations and similar organisms due to all the sand sifting, so if you are trying to propagate copepods it is probably not a great choice. Otherwise they are very peaceful and get along with other fish and inverts.
Derek
April 4, 2011 ? 8:52 pm
Hey Heather, I do apologize as I did pull the image from Google Images, if you shoot me a link to a website you may have or if you'd like you're name to appear at the end of the post I'd gladly add it, just let me know.
that you should read before running out to get one). http://www.reefclassroom.com/dragon-goby
Dragon Goby
Posted by Jessica ? May 23, 2008 ? Printer-friendly
There are many different types of gobies out there and while the name Dragon Goby sounds a little intimidating don't be alarmed. This type of goby serves a specific purpose in a saltwater aquarium. The Dragon Goby is known by several names which may seem a little less threatening to the average person such as, Brown-barred Goby, Pennant Goby, Harbor Goby or even Pistol Goby to name a few.
No matter what you call this goby the colors are going to be the same. It has a light brownish gray body with dark bars on it. Also there are black spots on the gill cover, first dorsal fin and the tail with some blue spots on the front of the body and the head. The main purpose for having this particular fish is sifting the sand on the bottom of your tank. "What makes this goby different from all the others?" you ask.
The Dragon Goby is generally a hardier type of goby than most others like it. This goby will keep the upper layer of sand mixed up by consuming mouthfuls of sand and pushing it right back out through it's gills. The average size for this fish is between 2-4 inches and the minimum tank size you can house it in is 20 gallons.
Their diet is pretty simple as well. It consists of small bottom dwelling invertebrates and algae. However, a varied diet is needed consisting of frozen food designed for invertebrates. Don't be alarmed when you read that it eats bottom dwelling invertebrates that it may eat your star fish or any other invertebrates you may have in your aquarium because it is totally compatible with reef aquariums as well as non-reef aquariums. It will not harm sessile invertebrates.
2 Responses ?
Heather Walker
March 13, 2011 ? 12:43 am
The picture in this article was taken by me a few years ago, though it is not credited to me. I think it is a bit disingenuous to pull a picture off of google or an aquarium forum and post it in your own article. I did email the admin at this site about it but never got a response.
I'm very glad that someone found my picture sufficient to use in an educational article, as I like to contribute to furthering the aquarium hobby, but credit should have been given.
On another note, I do agree with the information presented in the article. This was a wonderfully interesting and beautiful fish to have and it does keep the substrated well turned over. One of the only down sides is that it will hover over the rocks and spit sand all over them, so you have to blow them off with a powerhead periodically since you will get sand all over your corals. Just one of these fish was sufficient to completely turn over the substrate on a 75 gallon reef aquarium.
These fish will also decimate your copepod populations and similar organisms due to all the sand sifting, so if you are trying to propagate copepods it is probably not a great choice. Otherwise they are very peaceful and get along with other fish and inverts.
Derek
April 4, 2011 ? 8:52 pm
Hey Heather, I do apologize as I did pull the image from Google Images, if you shoot me a link to a website you may have or if you'd like you're name to appear at the end of the post I'd gladly add it, just let me know.
- Location
- Miami
? Is it fresh water or salt.. Cuz gravel is mostly used in fresh water.
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