Nano tank utilitarian fish

[reefchi]

Is there any good utilitarian fish for the 25g Lagoon? It seems like the typical utilitarian fish I see are bigger fish like tangs the people get in bigger tanks. Was just curious if there’s utilitarian fish for a nano size tank? Or is there even such thing as utilitarian fish for a nano tank?

 

[DD Corals]

Maybe a blenny of some sort. I’m pretty sure they eat algae but I’m not 100% sure. I’d think it mostly be inverts that do the bulk of the cleaning. Like snails, shrimp, urchin, starfish.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Maybe a blenny of some sort. I’m pretty sure they eat algae but I’m not 100% sure. I’d think it mostly be inverts that do the bulk of the cleaning. Like snails, shrimp, urchin, starfish.

I have a Tailspot Blenny on my fish list for my upcoming tank. Under "Job" it says "Eats Algae".

 

[Pistondog]

+1 tailspot blenny.
Possum wrasse because the tank is too small for a 6 line.

 

[BristleWormHater]

I have a starry blenny in my 25 gallon lagoon. He's a great algae eater and very fun to watch.
Here's my best pics of him

 

[reefchi]

I have a starry blenny in my 25 gallon lagoon. He's a great algae eater and very fun to watch.
Here's my best pics of him

I actually looked at this blenny but kept reading it was very aggressive and territorial. What has been your experience for you in a 25g? Do they get pretty big?

 

[DD Corals]

Oh yea, six line wrasse might be good. They say they are “aggressive” but the one I got isn’t. So I think it depends on some individuals for six line wrasse.

 

[reefchi]

+1 tailspot blenny.
Possum wrasse because the tank is too small for a 6 line.

I have a Possum wrasse on my list but because I thought it was a unique fish lol what does control or eat? I thought they just eat copepods or what it finds in the rocks?

 

[BristleWormHater]

I actually looked at this blenny but kept reading it was very aggressive and territorial. What has been your experience for you in a 25g? Do they get pretty big?

Yes, mine is full size 5 and a half inches. Mine is very passive unless fish get near his favorite spots. He can be a little roudy at feeding time, especially when the cardinalfish steals all his food. Temperament varies between fish, so just be careful and have a breeder box just incase.

 

[cabinreefer]

I have a lawnmower blenny in my 25g and he eats all my algae. I don't scrape the back of the tank and he eats algae pellets

 

[reefchi]

Yes, mine is full size 5 and a half inches. Mine is very passive unless fish get near his favorite spots. He can be a little roudy at feeding time, especially when the cardinalfish steals all his food. Temperament varies between fish, so just be careful and have a breeder box just incase.

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[reefchi]

at the moment I only have a pair of clowns. I think I might add a possum wrasse and a starry blenny. Am I pushing if I get a single cardinal fish and cap it at that?

Any difference between a lawnmower blenny vs a starry?

 

[BristleWormHater]

at the moment I only have a pair of clowns. I think I might add a possum wrasse and a starry blenny. Am I pushing if I get a single cardinal fish and cap it at that?

Any difference between a lawnmower blenny vs a starry?

I believe lawnmowers are a little smaller and usually more docile. They might be a better choice if you are worried about aggression. I think 5 fish is a good stock. What kind of cardinalfish are you thinking of?

 

[reefchi]

Either a single blue eye cardinal or a single regular Banggai Cardinal. I know they probably like being in groups or pair but since it’s only a 25g, I can only do one.

If every fish is different I might go with a starry simply go because to me it looks better to me.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Either a single blue eye cardinal or a single regular Banggai Cardinal. I know they probably like being in groups or pair but since it’s only a 25g, I can only do one.

If every fish is different I might go with a starry simply go because to me it looks better to me.

I'd say a blue eye or pajama would be best, with your current stock list a banggai might be pushing it. Smaller species like yellow-striped, five lined, or flame cardinalfish would also work.

 

[Pistondog]

I have a Possum wrasse on my list but because I thought it was a unique fish lol what does control or eat? I thought they just eat copepods or what it finds in the rocks?

WRasses can eat flatwroms and other problem critters.

 

[Common Blevil]

Is there any good utilitarian fish for the 25g Lagoon? It seems like the typical utilitarian fish I see are bigger fish like tangs the people get in bigger tanks. Was just curious if there’s utilitarian fish for a nano size tank? Or is there even such thing as utilitarian fish for a nano tank?

+ On tailspot blenny BUT it won't eradicate algae, it will only help. They are omnivores after all and eat algae just as much as they like plankton. They are like something in between normal blenny and midas. But still buy it, they are one of the best nano fish, if not the best. Small hermits and snails will also help with algae. Smaller conchs, like strawberry conch(conomurex luhuanus) will help with stirring the sand. You can put one or two, depending on the size and depth of the sandbed and your willingness to supplement feed them. They are social in the wild. Mollies are also great utilitarian fish, eat surface scum, even graze on cyano, but do this only if not fed.

 

[Common Blevil]

I have a starry blenny in my 25 gallon lagoon. He's a great algae eater and very fun to watch.
Here's my best pics of him

I would say no to starry in tanks less then 40-50 gallons, if it's will live in the tank it's whole lifecycle. I have one in my 15 g temporary, the fish is small for now, but they grow really fast and their max size is 6 inches. They need lots of food, places to sit on, crevices and holes to rest and if you won't provide them with that they will not be amused. And if they won't be amused they will become aggressive to every fish that will get on their nerves. And every fish in a small volume is gonna get on their nerves.

But if provided with adequate environment they are one of the best blennies available in the hobby. Cool shape and colour, smart, cocky and a bit lazy personality, they will bond with you and you will be able to even feed them from your hand. I've even seen videos with fully tamed jewelled lawnmowers and starries sitting on people's hands and eating food. I will not describe jewelled lawnmowers, because they are just another flavour of big salarias blenny, not as colourful under blue light. But overall both starries and jewelled look better under whites.

The one salarias lawnmower that is suitable for 30 gallons for it's whole lifecycle is segmeneted blenny. They are fun and colourful, eat algae much more than tailspots, but a but a pain in the butt to start eating prepared foods and are a lot more shy. Still cool fish.

For 25 gallon i would vote either segmented, bicolor(evil lazier version of tailspot) or tye tailspot itself if 25 g will be the max volume and lawnmower or starry if the person is willing to upgrade in the future or has the ability to find a good home for a 6 inch loyal blennyzilla.

Also all blennies do much better in the systems with algae, more omnivorous blennies such as tailspots and bicolors are either to feed overall and especially in algaeless tanks then detritivores like lawnmowers. And yes, all blennies are not true herbivores, they are omnivorous plankton and detritus eaters that ingest algae to get the desired food items from it. But they still need algae and blenny on only algae or only meat diet will not live long. Their lifespan depending on the species should be 5-10 years.

 

[Common Blevil]

I believe lawnmowers are a little smaller and usually more docile.

Lawnmowers grow to the same size and behave with similar aggression in bad conditions. As i said before, starry and jewelled(because starries are lawnmowers too) blennies are basically the same fish with different colours. Both max out at 6 inches, making them absolute units

 

[viceversabrd]

+ On tailspot blenny BUT it won't eradicate algae, it will only help. They are omnivores after all and eat algae just as much as they like plankton. They are like something in between normal blenny and midas. But still buy it, they are one of the best nano fish, if not the best. Small hermits and snails will also help with algae. Smaller conchs, like strawberry conch(conomurex luhuanus) will help with stirring the sand. You can put one or two, depending on the size and depth of the sandbed and your willingness to supplement feed them. They are social in the wild. Mollies are also great utilitarian fish, eat surface scum, even graze on cyano, but do this only if not fed.

What do you supplement feed a strawberry conch ?