Need help getting herbivorous, suitable for my tank

[Coral_Coco]

Hello Everyone,

I have a coral-rearing system (184cm x 59cm x 15cm) currently experiencing a bloom of Dictyota algae. Our manufacturers have advised introducing fish to help manage this issue. The tank is 6 feet long but holds only about 52 gallons of saltwater. Many of the fish I considered require larger tanks for adequate breathing room. Given the length of my tank, does this requirement change?

Can anyone recommend herbivorous fish suitable for controlling Dictyota algae that would thrive in my tank size? Currently, I have only hermit crabs and small Acropora corals. I plan to create a small rock formation in one corner to provide hiding spaces for the fish. I am interested in adding 2 or 3 fish to the tank.

Looking forward to your suggestions.

Best regards,
Coco

 

[MoshJosh]

Fish. . . not that I know of. Lawnmower blenny and starry night blenny are my go to herbivores for small tanks, but how effective they are and if they even eat that kind of algae. . . I don't know. When it comes to macro algaes, emaralds and pitho crabs seems to do a good job eating them, the latter seems to be less of a gamble as far as going after corals, but still many people will tell you than any crab poses a threat to corals (I keep both emeralds and pithos in my tanks).