best algae fish eater

Paulina Rodriguez · Feb 12, 2019

hey everyone i have a 50g mixed reef tank, and want to add a algae eater fish, what do you think would be better lawnmower blenny? tribal blenny? tailspot blenny? midas blenny? canary blenny? or any other suggestions are welcome.

Geebs19 · Feb 12, 2019

My One Spot Foxface picks at rock algea all day.

nereefpat · Feb 12, 2019

One of the lawnmowers would be better than a midas or canary.

Tangs and rabbits are great, but they get too big.

Don't forget about snails.

JMetaxas · Feb 12, 2019

Snails and hermits help a lot. But why do you have a problem? Perhaps you can focus on that too.

Paulina Rodriguez · Feb 12, 2019

thought about the foxface but it would get too big for my tank, have snails and an Urchin, just thought I would add a beneficiary fish as well. My tank is 3 months old so I’m started to get the hair algae.

Jesterrace · Feb 12, 2019

Geebs19 said:
My One Spot Foxface picks at rock algea all day.

Yeah, but not a good choice for a 50 gallon. Way too big for that tank when it grows up. @ the OP, I would also add the Starry Blenny to your list. https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+23+2263&pcatid=2263

Geebs19 · Feb 12, 2019

Jesterrace said:
Yeah, but not a good choice for a 50 gallon. Way too big for that tank when it grows up. @ the OP, I would also add the Starry Blenny to your list. https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+23+2263&pcatid=2263

Totally missed a 50g reef. Ya, good call, I would not recommend.

Greybeard · Feb 12, 2019

As mentioned, tangs and rabbitfish are awesome algae eaters, but not in that small of a tank.

Green Scats work too... but once again, too big.

Some angels are primarily algae eaters, Lemonpeel comes to mind, but even though smaller than the ones above, still too big for a 50g tank.

Mollies do a pretty fair job in a smaller tank. About the only primary algae eating fishes I can think of for a 50g tank.

Urchins, snails, and crabs are probably your best bet.

nguye829 · Feb 12, 2019

The lawnmower blennies would be my choice for your tank size.

KSReef · Feb 12, 2019

Yes, I would get the lawnmower Blenny too and a clean up crew. Hermits work great if you are trying to get rid of algae on your rocks. But in my experience the hermits will die off once the algae is gone.

KSReef · Feb 12, 2019

Yes, I would get the lawnmower Blenny too and a clean up crew. Hermits work great if you are trying to get rid of algae on your rocks. But in my experience the hermits will die off once the algae is gone.

Idoc · Feb 12, 2019

My Midas blenny occasionally picks at algae, but only if i skip her dinner! She definitely prefers frozen foods. So, i don't think this would be a great fish to expect to obtain much algae control.