Sand sifters with bichir and peacock bass

[Red Beard]

Hi guys, this forum has been my first port of call again

I have a south american community aquarium with geophagus that has a sand substrate and they do an amazing job of turning it over and looking pretty pristine.

I'm cycling a much larger aquarium for bichir endlicheri and kelberi peacock bass that I'm running a sand substrate on.

I'm looking for any and all suggestions on a fish that could fulfil a similar job in this aquarium (moving the sand, rummaging through it etc)

Looking for ideas.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and hey, if there's nothing suitable that's not the end of the world either.

 

[FJB]

Depending on the size of the tank, a flag tail Prochilodus (any of 4 spp) make great sand shifters, and would mostly be unaffected by the bichirs, as well as leaving them alone. Better yet, it would add coloration to an otherwise drab community (sorry... I am not a bichir person, but I respect them and their owners).

 

[duanes]

Of the Geophagines, I would only trust the largest with P bass, something the size of G. altforns.
And if the tank is large enough for P bass, it could be separated into distinct flow zones, the Geo's would usually inhabit the highest to moderate flow zone as adults (except when spawning), Cichla the moderate flow zone, and others the low flow areas.

 

[tlindsey]

Hi guys, this forum has been my first port of call again

I have a south american community aquarium with geophagus that has a sand substrate and they do an amazing job of turning it over and looking pretty pristine.

I'm cycling a much larger aquarium for bichir endlicheri and kelberi peacock bass that I'm running a sand substrate on.

I'm looking for any and all suggestions on a fish that could fulfil a similar job in this aquarium (moving the sand, rummaging through it etc)

Looking for ideas.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and hey, if there's nothing suitable that's not the end of the world either.

I really like the Flagtail suggestion by F FJB because you would have to add a large specie of Geophagus. The other issue would be feeding the slower Endlicheri.

 

[tlindsey]

Of the Geophagines, I would only trust the largest with P bass, something the size of G. altforns.

Agree

 

[Red Beard]

Thank you for the swift replies, leaning more towards the flagtail suggestion/s.
I'm also thinking of a Salmon Tail Cat (Neoarius berneyi ) as well which might help do a bit of snuffling about.

Thanks again for the help, still keeping an open mind so feel free to chime in anyone who has a suggestion/criticism

 

[Red Beard]

On a positive note I collect my three Kelberi 8cm Juveniles tomorrow. First time with these guys.

I've kept a lot of different fish over the past twenty years but this is my first dip into this style of aquarium.
I'm also growing out an L600 in another tank that will maybe one day join the clan.