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10/08/2017, 12:00 PM | #1 |
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Fish guaranteed to eat hair algae
I need a recommendation for a fish that's guaranteed to eat hair algae, peaceful but not prone to being bullied, and can comfortably thrive in a 320 gallon tank.
Bonus points if it is a centerpiece fish, as this is likely the last large fish I add to this tank. Thanks!
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
10/08/2017, 12:13 PM | #2 |
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Guarantee is a hard word... I've heard that Foxface eat hair algae. My biggest success was with using an Algae Scrubber (not the rough pad, but the DIY thing). Grow the hair algae in another place and then use it as fertilizer for my plants. People have good luck with refugiums too. The best way to deal with HA is nutrient control, and since I don't like doing water changes, I just trick the algae into growing somewhere else since in most cases I'm smarter than algae lol. Good luck!
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10/08/2017, 01:05 PM | #3 |
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Thanks.
I'm not looking for nutrient control suggestions, just fish. Not trying to be rude, I just want it focused on fish.
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
10/08/2017, 01:22 PM | #4 |
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Most of the angels I have had will nibble on it in some amount. Unfortunately, they may also nibble on other things!
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10/08/2017, 01:41 PM | #5 |
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There is no such thing as a fish that's 'guaranteed' to eat GHA... that's like saying every human is guaranteed to like broccoli... just doesn't happen. There are those fish MORE likely than not to eat it, including bristletooth tangs, foxfaces, algae blennies, dwarf angels and some damsels. That's not a definitive list obvs, add to that a plethora of inverts that'll eat it, like Mexican turbos, seahares, some urchins and mithrax crabs...
If what you're after is a 'guaranteed' way to remove GHA, that my friend, is elbow grease and nutrient export, not fish. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk |
10/08/2017, 04:38 PM | #6 |
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I've been contemplating a white tail bristletooth, a multibar angelfish, and a magnificent foxface. I've read bristletooth can become aggressive, I'm not sure how effective a multibar would be, and I'm a little concerned with how large foxfaces can become.
I also eyed a convict tang, but they're pricy on diver's den and kind of plain looking. I also don't know if my tank is really large enough. Don't get hung up on "guaranteed". A 9/10 probability is fine.
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
10/08/2017, 05:11 PM | #7 |
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I think any Zebrasoma so would be much more likely to eat hair algae than any Ctenochaetus (bristetooth) tang. How about a yellow, purple or scopus? What is your current fish list?
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Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers |
10/08/2017, 05:31 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
Maybe a purple... I just don't want aggression. Currently, I've got: 2 False Percula clowns 2 Bristletail filefish 1 Copperband butterfly 2 Black Spot angelfish 5 Red Spot Cardinal fish 1 Starry Blenny 3 Lyretail Anthias (1 male, 2 female)
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
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10/08/2017, 06:12 PM | #9 |
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Awesome stocklist. I understand why you would want to keep it peaceful, and you would be sick if something happened to that butterfly or those angels.
I like the magnificent foxface. Several big, Mexican turbo snails would probably help too, although it sounds like you want a fish.
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Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers |
10/08/2017, 06:17 PM | #10 |
Grizzled & Cynical
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Bristles aren't particularly good GHA eaters. My zebrasomas all eat it, as does my zebra tang (regular convict is good too). None of them will touch bryopsis though.
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Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
10/08/2017, 07:20 PM | #11 |
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Lawnmower Blenny? Wouldn't be a centerpiece fish but would do the job i presume.
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10/08/2017, 07:33 PM | #12 |
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The Court jester gobies; Koumansetta rainfordi, are also know to eat hair algae
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10/08/2017, 07:56 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
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10/08/2017, 07:57 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
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10/08/2017, 08:00 PM | #15 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
There once was a blenny named Lenny His accomplishments weren't very many But he made me smile Every once in a while Until he carpet surfed at 4:20
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
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10/08/2017, 08:12 PM | #16 |
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real rabbitfish (double bar) - ravenous consumer of anything algae based
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Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape |
10/08/2017, 10:23 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
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Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
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10/08/2017, 10:26 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
__________________
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
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10/08/2017, 10:26 PM | #19 |
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not in captivity they don't.
mine is in an 8' tank and doing fine.
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Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape |
10/08/2017, 10:31 PM | #20 | |
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Quote:
__________________
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
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10/08/2017, 10:35 PM | #21 |
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I think groups of tangs in our tanks are problematic. I only ever keep one of each species (up to 10 at last count).
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Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
10/08/2017, 11:21 PM | #22 |
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Will foxfaces eat algae off the glass? Or, in my case, acrylic? Can their teeth scratch acrylic?
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
10/09/2017, 04:59 AM | #23 |
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The best fish is the Hawaiian Chevron Tang. Eats algae from rocks and glass. Look awesome as a juvy, blaw as a sub adult, but then neat as an adult.
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10/09/2017, 08:12 AM | #24 |
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Rabbitfish mouths are designed to consume all kinds of vegetable matter - they are indiscriminate and constantly ravenous. Multiple scientific studies point to their critical ecological role in removing algae and recycling nutrients.
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Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape |
10/09/2017, 12:26 PM | #25 |
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Well, I just purchased a Magnificent Foxface from Diver's Den. It seemed like the best option for me, even though I had reservations about the size and venemous spines.
Thanks for the help, everyone!
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380 |
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