Macro algae safe fish/inverts

Eric R.

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There are plenty of threads asking for suggestions on what fish or inverts to get to control unwanted algae, but for those of us (like me) that want to keep attractive (and sometimes rare or expensive) macro algae in their DT, what fish and inverts have you found that are the safest to keep in your DT that won't make your macro algae into lunch? Alternately, what fish and inverts have you had eat macro algae in your display that you suggest avoiding? Are there fish or inverts that people say generally don't eat algae that you've been surprised to find munching your prized blue hypnea or dragon's breath?
 

lapin

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A lot of your smaller fish like gobys, royal grammas ect are good choices. Tangs are not.
 

ups.0fficial

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There are plenty of threads asking for suggestions on what fish or inverts to get to control unwanted algae, but for those of us (like me) that want to keep attractive (and sometimes rare or expensive) macro algae in their DT, what fish and inverts have you found that are the safest to keep in your DT that won't make your macro algae into lunch? Alternately, what fish and inverts have you had eat macro algae in your display that you suggest avoiding? Are there fish or inverts that people say generally don't eat algae that you've been surprised to find munching your prized blue hypnea or dragon's breath?
We’ve had a long spine urchin eat our macro, was really interesting lol
 

ThePurple12

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Anything that's not a tang, to put it simply.

In my display with different types of macro and seagrass I have anthias, a coral beauty, blennies, gobies, butterflies, clowns...
 

fishlover1478

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Anything that's not a tang, to put it simply.

In my display with different types of macro and seagrass I have anthias, a coral beauty, blennies, gobies, butterflies, clowns...
interesting that the blennies left the algae alone. what type?
 

PicassoClown04

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Avoid tangs, foxfaces, rabbitfish, lawnmower blennies, seahares, etc. Plenty of threads of what DOES eat algae lol

Depending on the size of the DT and what else you want in there (softies, LPS, SPS, NPS, mixed reef) clowns, seahorses, dragonettes, serpent stars, fire shrimp, sexy shrimp, pom pom crabs, porcelain crabs, anthias, hawkfish, grammas, dottybacks, hogfish, coral banded shrimp, arrow crabs, shrimp gobies, pyramid butterflies, any butterfly really, damsels, chromis, pipefish, sea moths, frogfish, lionfish, grouper, snapper, etc should all be very safe for macro algae
 

High pressure shells: Do you look for signs of stress in the invertebrates in your reef tank?

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