Algae eating fish FOWLR

[Han]

I have a 73 gallon fish only tank currently housing a radiata lionfish, plesiops betta, valentini puffer, dusky jawfish, and ribbon eel. I used to have a foxface and have noticed an increase in algae growth since he died. It’s not major or anything, but I’m still considering adding some kind of algae eating fish to keep things under control. I’d prefer something smaller than a foxface, tangs are out of the question. The lionfish will be moving to another tank soon. Anyone have any suggestions for a fish that would work?

 

[Old Fritz]

Angels like to graze on algae. So if you wanted smaller than a foxface or tang something like a coral beauty, flame angel, potters, or lemon Peele would be a good choice. Just a warning though lemon peeles can be mean guys lol

If you wanted something smaller something like a starry blenny, lawnmower blenny, or a tailspot blenny would be a good choice

 

[Han]

Angels like to graze on algae. So if you wanted smaller than a foxface or tang something like a coral beauty, flame angel, potters, or lemon Peele would be a good choice. Just a warning though lemon peeles can be mean guys lol

If you wanted something smaller something like a starry blenny, lawnmower blenny, or a tailspot blenny would be a good choice

How do angels compare to a foxface in terms of grazing?

 

[Old Fritz]

Id say they don't eat as much algae as a fox face but it's still a considerable amount. In my tanks I have to put almost a constant supply of nori in the tank for them

 

[Han]

Id say they don't eat as much algae as a fox face but it's still a considerable amount. In my tanks I have to put almost a constant supply of nori in the tank for them

Great I’ll definitely check out the angels next time I’m at my lfs. Thanks

 

[S2G]

What kind of algae?

 

[Han]

What kind of algae?

A little bit of hair algae here and there. I had a pretty severe outbreak a year ago (I rectified it by filtering more aggressively and changing my source water) but little pockets of it still turn up now and again.

 

[Jesterrace]

If you are looking for something to eat hair algae I would go with a Starry Blenny or Lawnmower Blenny. Dwarf Angels eat algae but generally don't do much for hair algae.

 

[Han]

If you are looking for something to eat hair algae I would go with a Starry Blenny or Lawnmower Blenny. Dwarf Angels eat algae but generally don't do much for hair algae.

I worry that the betta could eat a blenny. He ate a 3 inch cleaner wrasse once so the thought of adding any small narrow bodied fish makes me nervous

 

[WMR]

IMO, I’d use a toothbrush or plastic bristled brush & clean it off the rocks.”Algae” blennies & ctenochaetus tangs have comb teeth, they’re not too keen on hair algae. Fish wise, I’d use a foxface or Zebrasoma tang, also, if lion isn’t moved, he could possibly eat blenny, given his size, good luck