Diamond watchback goby real threat to bacteria?

[Gary S]

I was reading about watchback gobys, and have read that they are a threat to tanks, by sifting out the bacteria in the sand (which kinda seems impossible to me). Any thoughts/experience?

 

[Crabs McJones]

While some of your bacteria can live within your live sand, my understanding is most of it makes its home in your rock. And I know they sift small particles out of the sand, but can they filter down that small? I can't imagine it'd have a huge impact if they could.

 

[ca1ore]

Assuming you mean watchman goby, I cannot really see how. First, I doubt they are actually eating bacteria, more disturbing it with sifting activities. Perhaps the article meant depleting of the micro fauna, which would be its natural prey - small worms, crustaceans, etc. Even then, I fail to see how that would constitute a 'threat' to the tank. Probably a fairly typical reef tank article/video from somebody that doesn't actually know what they are talking about :D