Alternatives to Tangs (40G nano)

[Jamie9]

I’m setting up my first reef tank, which will be an IM Fusion 40 AIO. After a pair of clownfish, I want to move on towards enjoyable fish that also help keep the place clean. I see a lot of recommendations for yellow and bristle tooth tangs for keeping the algae under control…but I don’t think they would enjoy a 40 gallon tank. I’d also prefer not to go the route of keeping a small one for a couple years then giving it to somebody with a bigger tank down the road. And no, sadly I can’t go up in size on my tank. Sooo…anybody have suggestions for fish that would thrive in a smaller tank and can serve a similar algae eating role to tangs? Thanks in advance!

 

[TX_REEF]

respect for not cramming a tang in a 40. There aren't really many smaller herbivore fish that will make an impact on algae like you're looking for, I'd instead rely on cleanup crew such as trochus snails and urchins in a tank that size.

 

[exnisstech]

I respect your your decision not to add tangs to a 40g. That said I think a single yellow or a bristletooth could work. While inverts can do a great job I've never had them keep a tank as clean as my tanks that have tangs. I have a tank too small for tangs and it's a chore to keep clean.
Not a recommendation but I keep a wild yellow and two spot bristletooth in a 36x22x22". They have been together for over two years and get along great. They spend the entire day picking at the rocks and cleaning frag plugs.
IMO the rock work can make the difference between success and failure. I would not try this in a tank without enough rock for the fish to swim in and out of. I'm not a fan of the bare NSA type of tanks for keeping fish.

 

[Jamie9]

Thanks, both of you for the tips. And that’s a beautiful tank there, I hope to get mine there in a few years!

 

[vlangel]

Midas blennies are a bristletooth variety that scrape algae. They may not be as effective as a yellow tang but they are helpful and they do not need a big tank, 30g is sufficient. There are other bristletooth blennies if the Midas is not to your liking and all blennies have big personalities.

 

[NC AL]

Urchin and lawnmower blenny once your tank is established.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Urchin and lawnmower blenny once your tank is established.

That seems solid!

 

[Zionas]

A 40B should be about smaller fish.

-Basslets (Royal Gramma, Yellow Assessor/ both available as captive bred, personal preference but for some reason I don’t like seeing the Blackcap in anything but a “deepwater” theme, just my own OCD though but that’s an option for you)

-Shrimp and Goby pairs (the most straightforward captive bred route would be a captive bred YWG from Biota, not everyone’s a fan of the Pistols though)

-Blennies (you have a variety to pick from, Midas and Fang Blennies are “swimmers”, most of the others stick to the rocks)

-Smaller Wrasses (@i cant think)

-Smaller Dwarf Angels (African Flameback, Cherub, some will say a Coral Beauty- CB from Biota is fine but personally I’m not sure)

-Sunburst Anthias (they don’t swim around a lot, people have problems getting them to eat, personally this is a fish I’d like to see captive bred but if you see one in good condition worth a try IMO)

-More peaceful Damsels (Azure, Talbot’s, maybe a Starcki or one of the CB Pavo Damsels from Biota, make sure to add last)

-Marine Betta (these get larger but are more of a cave dweller, I’ve seen them kept in 40B before and would make one heck of a centerpiece if you can find one, make sure to train it on frozen first and make sure it consistently eats)

-Cardinalfish (personally not a big fan of them and consider them a space filler, but some people like them)



Maybe something like this?:
(2) Ocellaris (already have them)
(1) Royal Gramma (cave dweller)
(1) African Flameback Angel (centerpiece)
(1) Blenny or Shrimp + Goby pair
(1) Small Wrasse (Pink Streak, Possum)
(1) of the Damsels (add last)

You could potentially go an almost full captive bred route with this one.

The Clowns are obvious.

Royal Gramma from Biota (Biota also does Blackcaps and Proaquatix / ORA does the Yellow Assessor but the Gramma will be more bold)

African Flameback whenever they’re available from Biota again through this French place (they breed them and Biota sells them).

Biota does the YWGs and a few Blennies.

Wrasse will be wild.

Biota Pavo Damsel / ORA Azure Damsel.

 

[Jamie9]

Thanks so much for taking the time to put together such a thoughtful list. I really like that direction. I’m most likely doing a 1-inch sand bed, would that be deep enough for a shrimp/goby pair?

 

[Boehmtown]

You don't need a tang. Or any algae eating fish. Inverts will do the job. Saying that. I've heard Mollies like picking at algae

 

[CHSUB]

Plenty of small herbivores, specifically blennys like the tail spot. However, some recommending the Midas, which is not an algae eater. Here is my little algae eater…

 

[Zionas]

@Jamie9 You’re welcome. I don’t know I’d ask around, I think the key here is to give the Shrimp enough to build a burrow. Good luck.

 

[initial_reefer]

Lawn mower blenny