Algae-Eating Nano Fish

[saltysailor]

Hi I have a 35 gal looking at stocking options, I fell in love w the lawnmower blenny because they are cool and cute but now reading that they nip at sps and clams which I want. What other algae eating fish can I get or is not a concern w the blenny. Differing to your opinion! Lmk.

 

[ichthyogeek]

I've heard that Molly Miller blennies go to town on algae, but I'm not sure how reef safe they are. Most Ecsenius blennies (I'm a big fan of E. bicolor) are relatively reef safe, but they might also nip on clams/fleshy LPS from time to time. Saltwater Mollies (Poecilia sphenops/latipinna) are also an option as well.

Are you absolutely fixated on getting algae eating fish, or are inverts like snails and hermit crabs also up for discussion?

 

[saltysailor]

I suppose I could just get a gnarly clean up crew, just wish I could have everything I wanted in one tank! I was just wondering what the options were out there!

 

[saltysailor]

Are there algae-eating fish that will fit in a 30 gal that are completely reef and clam safe?

 

[Kyl]

As unconventional as they sound, mollies acclimated to 1.026sg are great herbivores that go to town on many types of algae. Some of the sailfin varieties don't look half bad in a salt tank imo, they are super peaceful and rather easy to catch if you need to.