Sponge nibblers!

[bnord]

Evening...

Have a 90 lagoon which had a piece of Keys rock added to it at about the 9 month stage, about 3 months back
It is a LPS heavy with some montis, stag horn and overall doing well

However, have a spreading network of white tubular sponges creeping through the rock scape. - from the keys rock I suppose
Understand their value, but at this rate it will be too noticeable for my taste.

Have 3 bristle tooth tangs, a spotted hawk, gramma, blenny , Valentini

So... have avoided adding any angels, but would a be willing to give one a try (dwarf) if there was a species with a predilection to whittling away at the sponges - weighing the disadvantages of hitting the corals too

Anyone have any firsthand experience?

 

[Sean Clark]

I'll assume that Moorish Idols are off the table.
How about a flame angel?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

My coral beauty doesn't touch any of my sponges including white tubes.

Flame angel didn't either. It preferred lps and is now gone.

 

[bnord]

Moorish Idol dorsal fin would break the surface... smile

 

[i cant think]

The dwarfs I don’t think eat sponges, the chaetodontoplus species should eat them though IME.

 

[bnord]

The dwarfs I don’t think eat sponges, the chaetodontoplus species should eat them though IME.

and a few are affordable - thanks - other issue is based on this scape, it will have to be by fish trap to get a rogue coral eater out -

 

[i cant think]

and a few are affordable - thanks - other issue is based on this scape, it will have to be by fish trap to get a rogue coral eater out -

Actually, now you mention the rock scape have you got a FTS? I’m intrigued at how you have 3 bristletooths in a 4’x2’x18” because I have the same size tank and even just one bristletooth in the tank looks like it has only JUST the right amount of room to swim around.

 

[bnord]

Actually, now you mention the rock scape have you got a FTS? I’m intrigued at how you have 3 bristletooths in a 4’x2’x18” because I have the same size tank and even just one bristletooth in the tank looks like it has only JUST the right amount of room to swim around.

As soon as I clean the glass I will get an up to date photo (smile) - it has a cluster of rocks in the back hiding two vases with miracle mud supporting 6-8 mangroves. Then "Belizean Branch" manufactured rocks (I think 5 of them) radiating out from the caves/rubble with holes drilled in the top sides of the branches for frags....

it is actually 2 bristle tooth(s) - tomini and a strigosus, and a pyroferus
all small when added and at the same time. no overt aggression

Lots of hideouts in the rubble in the back and lots of swim lanes over and under the branches. Have always thought that swim lanes are as important to tang stocking as anything

Been like this for 12-14 months, and sense I have another year before size becomes and issue - but will respond as needed.

2-3 months back I had to donate a vlamingi (best pet after my dogs) to the LFS as it went from tiny to filet size in less than a year and was starting to get scuffed up in a 180 - display so I know sometimes tangs grow fast.

This trio is holding steady so far...

 

[bnord]

First shots are of the lagoon, not a good look at the scape - tank is in the fish room, hence the clutter - will try to get a shot of all 3 tangs tomorrow when the T4s are back on (4 hour mid day cycle)
last two are of the aforementioned vlamingi from the 180 and a shot of the too frequent scapes he was getting after exploding in action for no reason. A really good guy that I still get to visit at the shop.

 

[i cant think]

As soon as I clean the glass I will get an up to date photo (smile) - it has a cluster of rocks in the back hiding two vases with miracle mud supporting 6-8 mangroves. Then "Belizean Branch" manufactured rocks (I think 5 of them) radiating out from the caves/rubble with holes drilled in the top sides of the branches for frags....

it is actually 2 bristle tooth(s) - tomini and a strigosus, and a pyroferus
all small when added and at the same time. no overt aggression

Lots of hideouts in the rubble in the back and lots of swim lanes over and under the branches. Have always thought that swim lanes are as important to tang stocking as anything

Been like this for 12-14 months, and sense I have another year before size becomes and issue - but will respond as needed.

2-3 months back I had to donate a vlamingi (best pet after my dogs) to the LFS as it went from tiny to filet size in less than a year and was starting to get scuffed up in a 180 - display so I know sometimes tangs grow fast.

This trio is holding steady so far...

I will just warn you that the only one that will stay on the small side will be the Tomini at around 4 inch, Strigosus is a much larger species of bristletooth. Pyroferus is in the genus Acanthurus which just gives an idea it won’t remain small.
I won’t lecture you too much on that though as I’m sure you are sick of it already (I know I got sick of hearing about tangs in too small of a tank when I had a 2.5 inch scopas in a 3’ tank - The plan was to upgrade into a long term tank but he unfortunately died before that) but also you seem to have a great plan for the future!

First shots are of the lagoon, not a good look at the scape - tank is in the fish room, hence the clutter - will try to get a shot of all 3 tangs tomorrow when the T4s are back on (4 hour mid day cycle)
last two are of the aforementioned vlamingi from the 180 and a shot of the too frequent scapes he was getting after exploding in action for no reason. A really good guy that I still get to visit at the shop.

Stunning photos! The vlamingii was going to be my first tang I kept but I backed off and went with a Regal (Parachanthurus hepatus) and then a Scopas (Zebrasoma scopas) to now just having a singular Blue Eye Bristletooth (Ctenochaetus binotatus). Stunning close up on the face! That Pyroferus is also beautiful, I assume now he’s either maturing or matured.

 

[bnord]

I will just warn you that the only one that will stay on the small side will be the Tomini at around 4 inch, Strigosus is a much larger species of bristletooth. Pyroferus is in the genus Acanthurus which just gives an idea it won’t remain small.
I won’t lecture you too much on that though as I’m sure you are sick of it already (I know I got sick of hearing about tangs in too small of a tank when I had a 2.5 inch scopas in a 3’ tank - The plan was to upgrade into a long term tank but he unfortunately died before that) but also you seem to have a great plan for the future!

Stunning photos! The vlamingii was going to be my first tang I kept but I backed off and went with a Regal (Parachanthurus hepatus) and then a Scopas (Zebrasoma scopas) to now just having a singular Blue Eye Bristletooth (Ctenochaetus binotatus). Stunning close up on the face! That Pyroferus is also beautiful, I assume now he’s either maturing or matured.

Thanks, I appreciate your motive as well as tact. I guess it comes down to the Supreme Court justice who said he doesn’t know the definition of pornography but he knows it when he sees it. These three have gotten along fine with plenty of room to roam and no overt aggression for the last year and like I said I think it’ll be another nine months to a year before I have to retank or rehome, and suppose it will be the first one with a growth spurt.
And that vlamingi is being kept at the local shop as I am plotting my last tank design and he will come back home one of these days. The shop owner swears he fish perks up and gets more blue every time i come in there. Then again, he’s knows how to keep customers happy