Quick question about tangs

[John Bolden]

So I have a 20 gallon with tons of gha and Ive been reading/watching brs and tangs seem like the best way to go but if you have read or seen my tank its a 20 gallon and I know that you cant have a tang in there forever but could I get a small tang in there and when I upgrade my tank transfer it over or return it to the store when it gets too big? If so what tang is best for gha.

 

[SchrutesReefs]

I don’t think anyone would say a 20g is near enough for the most juvenile of tangs. Your best bet for that size tank is a blenny, but I don’t think many have had luck with a fish and hair algae. I would opt for manual removal and nutrient export that is causing the hair algae. Cut back on lights and lighter feeding.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

If you have a way to rehome it that is 100% foolproof, you could get away with it. While not ideal, 2-3 months in a 20 gallon would be ok. Just don't tell the tang police, and have a plan to get it out the moment you see it glass-surfing. With that said, tangs are not actually the best way of controlling algae. The best way to do that is to remove the factors behind the initial growth. Reducing the photoperiod to 7-8 hours daily, removing nutrients, reduced feeding, and manual removal will rapidly reduce the problem. You could also add a tuxedo urchin, which will leave a path of bare rock behind it as it moves. I once added an urchin to my 20 gallon to control bubble algae. While it ignored the bubbles, it vacuumed up sea lettuce, hair algae, and film algae. I hope that this helps!

 

[i cant think]

So I have a 20 gallon with tons of gha and Ive been reading/watching brs and tangs seem like the best way to go but if you have read or seen my tank its a 20 gallon and I know that you cant have a tang in there forever but could I get a small tang in there and when I upgrade my tank transfer it over or return it to the store when it gets too big? If so what tang is best for gha.

What are the dimensions?
For a month or so it’s possible but longer than that it may not be unfortunately. I agree with the blenny mention, or try find a Koumansetta hectori if you have a sandbed. Mine eradicated almost algaes if not all (I literally had a betting game with the family on what algae would beat the worst one - Cyano that I had fought for ages).

 

[John Bolden]

Also tang police don’t ar m

What are the dimensions?
For a month or so it’s possible but longer than that it may not be unfortunately. I agree with the blenny mention, or try find a Koumansetta hectori if you have a sandbed. Mine eradicated almost algaes if not all (I literally had a betting game with the family on what algae would beat the worst one - Cyano that I had fought for ages).

Its 18 by 18 I think I already have 4 fish in there would that be too many?

 

[Tired]

It's not a good idea to buy fish for a system you don't have. A teeny baby tang would be fine in a 20gal, but you'll quickly reach a point where it's not fine. Until you have a big enough tank, don't buy a tang.

"This animal will not do well in this environment" isn't anything police.

4 eviota gobies would do great in an 18" cube. 4 groupers would not. It all depends on the size and needs of the fish.

 

[Soren]

For a tank that small, my own research indicates that invertebrates (especially snails) would be a much better option for algae consumption than any herbivorous fish.

 

[i cant think]

4 eviota gobies would do great in an 18" cube. 4 groupers would not. It all depends on the size and needs of the fish.

Even then, 4 eviota gobies is an issue if they aren’t actually meant to be communal. Some species only stay in pairs in the wild whilst others don’t.

As for the point, I agree that 4 communal but small fish would do better than 4 potentially communal but large fish would do.

 

[old salt reefer]

My urchins eat way MORE algae than my snails or tang.

 

[vetteguy53081]

You can get away with a kole eye or Tomini which both would work on algae but consider tail spot blennies or cherub angel. Even brown barred goby

 

[i cant think]

Also tang police don’t ar m

Its 18 by 18 I think I already have 4 fish in there would that be too many?

I have 9 fish but they’re all low bioload and peaceful fish. I would say a tang pushes that and not knowing what the other 4 fish are it’s hard to make a judgement would the tank be alright.

 

[FIN&BONEZ]

Keeping tiny tangs in a tiny tank can be done for a short period of time. Just keep in mind the more food they consume the more they will let off to keep feeding the gha. Also small tangs will develop an aggressive nature with lack of space even at young ages and will bring that attitude with them into the new tank for life. Its kinda like being raised in a closet then Daddy hit the lotto and we now have a mansion. I would fix the problem.

 

[i cant think]

My urchins eat way MORE algae than my snails or tang.

My urchins also enjoy snacking on tiny fish… With these guys being opportunistic feeders, I personally think they’re best for a larger tank and not a nano.

 

[Tired]

If you want algae-eating fish, look at saltwater mollies. If you want algae gone, get snails.

My urchins also enjoy snacking on tiny fish… With these guys being opportunistic feeders, I personally think they’re best for a larger tank and not a nano.

Sorry, what? What kind of urchins do you have that they're eating fish?

 

[John Bolden]

I have 9 fish but they’re all low bioload and peaceful fish. I would say a tang pushes that and not knowing what the other 4 fish are it’s hard to make a judgement would the tank be alright.

Its a 2 clowns a wrasse and a goby

 

[John Bolden]

I have a urchin he seems to just put algea on his head lol.

 

[exnisstech]

My urchins also enjoy snacking on tiny fish… With these guys being opportunistic feeders, I personally think they’re best for a larger tank and not a nano.

You must have some large urchins or small fish. I have two tuxedos in a 34g cube and all they are eating is algae. I move them back and forth between tanks as needed, along with a few turbo snails. Both are much better at eating alage than any of my tangs. I will say tho that they do not like the long hair alage. You have to put them in as soon as it starts coming on, and not after it's out of hand.

 

[John Bolden]

Btw after watching the brs video is this briprosis (probably spelled that wrong) or gha?

 

[i cant think]

Sorry, what? What kind of urchins do you have that they're eating fish?

You must have some large urchins or small fish. I have two tuxedos in a 34g cube and all they are eating is algae. I move them back and forth between tanks as needed, along with a few turbo snails. Both are much better at eating alage than any of my tangs. I will say tho that they do not like the long hair alage. You have to put them in as soon as it starts coming on, and not after it's out of hand.

My urchin was a White Short-Spine Pincushion, I still have him but he’s in a 4’ tank currently. The fish was a Wetmorella tanakai at around an inch in length. I prefer smaller fish, my smallest are just under an inch but we’re smaller when I got them.

 

[Screwgunner]

Not green hair algea