HELP! MY goatfish is creating a SANDSTORM!

[JT101]

OK, I just introduced a beautiful little yellow-back goatfish (Parupeneus barberinus) and so far he is great. As soon as he was acclimated and put into my tank he immediately began rooting his little snout around in my sandbed. LOTS of personality.

All went well the first day, tank is fine, no problems.

Next morning, we come downstairs and the tank looks a little silty, almost like it looks when I do partial water changes. I say "What the hell..?" and then I find the culprit - it's the goatfish! He is rooting around so much that he is sending up little puffs of sand and the silt is creating slightly "dusty" conditions.

My sandbed has NEVER looked more clean and white and for that I am EXTREMELY happy. However, I am a little upset that the water is not as crystal-clear as it once was.

Is this something I am going to have to learn to live with?

Thanks
John

 

[kyle1284]

lets hope not...
this all came from live aquaria

Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 1' 8"
Color Form: Yellow
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indo-Pacific
Family: Mullidae

The Yellow Goatfish is also referred to as the Yellowsaddle Goatfish, or Goldsaddle Goatfish. It is a solid golden-yellow color from head to tail.
A 135 gallon or larger aquarium with large areas to swim, and some hiding places is required. The young Yellow Goatfish may sift the sandy bottom of the tank in search of invertebrates to eat. The older Yellow Goatfish is prone to eat small crustaceans, fish, and worms.

The diet should consist of a variety of meaty items fed at least four times daily.

and depending on how deep your sand bed is he could be releasing toxins into the water... but dont quote me on that.... thats what i think MIGHT happen not sure though... hopefully someone can chime in and tell u of that could happen... how deep is your sand bed?

 

[Scouter Steve]

I would bet it will settle down. Skim wet in the mean time. The "floaty" particles will be eliminated and it will clear up.

 

[surfzone]

if you can try running a micron bag from on the overflow going to the sump and like stated before wet skimming.

 

[JT101]

lets hope not...
this all came from live aquaria

and depending on how deep your sand bed is he could be releasing toxins into the water... but dont quote me on that.... thats what i think MIGHT happen not sure though... hopefully someone can chime in and tell u of that could happen... how deep is your sand bed?

Hi Kyle,

No, I'm not worried about that (toxins). My sandbed is about 1" deep in the front and 3" in the back. He spends most of his time closer to the front. Man, he is a BUSY little guy! Anyway, I am positive that what I am seeing is fine particulate matter (silt) from the aragonite sand. It's just not aesthetically pleasing, that's all.

 

[JT101]

I would bet it will settle down. Skim wet in the mean time. The "floaty" particles will be eliminated and it will clear up.

I was considering running my diatom filter for a week or two until he "unleashes" all the finer silt in the tank. I know it has to stop eventually...!

Thanks
John