Best “tang like” fish for a smaller system?

[One Reefing Boi]

For those who have smaller systems and can’t get a Tang, what is a fish that might have similar algae grazing abilities?

I have a Kole tang for about a year now in my 50gal and he is becoming a jerk. Killed 2 diamond gobys (tried one a few months ago, killed it in 3 days. Just got one yesterday and it killed it already) and is not letting my fire fish get a break. I always planned to rehome the Tang anyways because of my tank size, but this was the last straw. I have to take part my whole scape to catch it but I’m over his sh**.

Anything I could replace it with that would help keep algae at bay? Algae blenny? Just a bunch of snails? I’d prefer a fish replacement as snails aren’t the most interesting but open to suggestions!

 

[bnord]

For those who have smaller systems and can’t get a Tang, what is a fish that might have similar algae grazing abilities?

I have a Kole tang for about a year now in my 50gal and he is becoming a d***. Killed 2 diamond gobys (tried one a few months ago, killed it in 3 days. Just got one yesterday and it killed it already) and is not letting my fire fish get a break. I always planned to rehome the Tang anyways because of my tank size, but this was the last straw. I have to take part my whole scape to catch it but I’m over his sh**.

Anything I could replace it with that would help keep algae at bay? Algae blenny? Just a bunch of snails? I’d prefer a fish replacement as snails aren’t the most interesting but open to suggestions!

lawn mower/starry/bicolor...

 

[bigbugoutfitters]

Maybe a flasher or fairy wrasse? Or if you wanna roll the dice on a small angelfish?

 

[JXNATC]

For those who have smaller systems and can’t get a Tang, what is a fish that might have similar algae grazing abilities?

I have a Kole tang for about a year now in my 50gal and he is becoming a jerk. Killed 2 diamond gobys (tried one a few months ago, killed it in 3 days. Just got one yesterday and it killed it already) and is not letting my fire fish get a break. I always planned to rehome the Tang anyways because of my tank size, but this was the last straw. I have to take part my whole scape to catch it but I’m over his sh**.

Anything I could replace it with that would help keep algae at bay? Algae blenny? Just a bunch of snails? I’d prefer a fish replacement as snails aren’t the most interesting but open to suggestions!

I have a Yellow Eye Kole that is a real basshole. He bullied and killed a lawnmower blenny and a diamond goby. I added some extra rock and he has settled down though TBH I haven't tried another blenny or goby yet.

 

[One Reefing Boi]

lawn mower/starry/bicolor...

Do they just eat longer algae or do they go for the film too?

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Maybe a flasher or fairy wrasse? Or if you wanna roll the dice on a small angelfish?

I have a fairy wrasse but he doesn’t seem interested in algae at all. Not sure if I want to roll the dice on an Angel

 

[One Reefing Boi]

I have a Yellow Eye Kole that is a real basshole. He bullied and killed a lawnmower blenny and a diamond goby. I added some extra rock and he has settled down though TBH I haven't tried another blenny or goby yet.

Yeah my scale and everything are pretty locked up so don’t want to add stuff. Albeit I’m about to tear it down to catch this guy lol

 

[bnord]

Do they just eat longer algae or do they go for the film too?

I have little experience with even tangs eating filamentous algae, and think the blennies are better at keeping algae from starting rather than chopping down forests

 

[Aspect]

Tomini Tangs stay small, what are you doing with the Kole Tang?

 

[One Reefing Boi]

I have little experience with even tangs eating filamentous algae, and think the blennies are better at keeping algae from starting rather than chopping down forests

I had a scopas tang for a bit that did. Again outgrew so I rehomed and got the kole tang. I’ll look into the blennies. I think they have issues with other similar shapes fish if I recall so I’ll have to see if I can keep one with my diamond goby (3rd times the charm right… )

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Tomini Tangs stay small, what are you doing with the Kole Tang?

Got it as a temporary resident. Always planned to re-home it, just was hoping it would have happened without the casualties

 

[bnord]

I had a scopas tang for a bit that did. Again outgrew so I rehomed and got the kole tang. I’ll look into the blennies. I think they have issues with other similar shapes fish if I recall so I’ll have to see if I can keep one with my diamond goby (3rd times the charm right… )

I have heard that same shape aggression story too, but have not seem it in my own tanks

 

[PR_nano]

How about an urchin.

 

[Griev]

Spotbreast and Watanabe Angelfish are some of my favorites. I kept a pair in my 50 lagoon, and now I have 6 in a 200.

Probably won't do as much for the algae, but mine do pick at it!

 

[One Reefing Boi]

How about an urchin.

I have a Halloween urchin that eats anything green in the tank so I was thinking of another one. He knocked out a bad Bryopsis outbreak in like 2 weeks. The urchins are cool but was maybe looking for a fish

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Spotbreast and Watanabe Angelfish are some of my favorites. I kept a pair in my 50 lagoon, and now I have 6 in a 200.

Probably won't do as much for the algae, but mine do pick at it!

No issues with coral?

 

[One Reefing Boi]

I have heard that same shape aggression story too, but have not seem it in my own tanks

Hmm alright, thanks! I’ll look into it

 

[Aspect]

Got it as a temporary resident. Always planned to re-home it, just was hoping it would have happened without the casualties

I got a 420 gallon tank that can provide it a good home if you want. Let me know

 

[Griev]

No issues with coral?

Nope. They're the only genus of 100% reef safe angels (genicanthus).

 

[Idech]

You’re scaring me with the kole tang story. What are the dimensions of your tank ?