Best herbivores for low boy

[PDR]

I am looking to start adding fish to my low boy grow out tank (48"x24"x10") and was looking for suggestions for some good herbivores. This tank will be used for growing out soft coral.

I am interested in both a bristletooth and zebrasoma tang but am not sure which ones are best for algae control. I really like the foxface but am concerned about nipping/eating my zoas.

Any suggestions would be great!

 

[ReeferBean]

Yellow tang would be my first choice. They love hair algae... at least mine always have.

 

[PDR]

I have been considering a yellow tang. I have heard about them becoming quite the bully though.

 

[ReeferBean]

I have been considering a yellow tang. I have heard about them becoming quite the bully though.

It probably depends on the individual fish but for the most part they are fairly peaceful. Tangs in general are a little more aggressive then other fish. Purple Tangs ime are much more aggressive than yellows. I agree on the fox faces, they can't be trusted but do mow algae.

Kole Tangs are good algae eaters, as with Convict Tangs, but they are harder to get eating prepared foods.

 

[PDR]

It probably depends on the individual fish but for the most part they are fairly peaceful. Tangs in general are a little more aggressive then other fish. Purple Tangs ime are much more aggressive than yellows. I agree on the fox faces, they can't be trusted but do mow algae.

Kole Tangs are good algae eaters, as with Convict Tangs, but they are harder to get eating prepared foods.

Any experience with scopas tangs?

 

[ReeferBean]

Any experience with scopas tangs?

No sorry. Although I would guess they have similar feeding habits as the yellows.

 

[nereefpat]

Lawnmower blenny. A dwarf angel. Mexican turbo snails.

I'm not personally crazy about tangs in that short of a tank.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I would strongly advise against tangs in that low of a tank.

Lawnmower blenny, seahare, turbo snails, emerald crabs.

 

[PDR]

Lawnmower blenny. A dwarf angel. Mexican turbo snails.

I'm not personally crazy about tangs in that short of a tank.

I'm not sure I would trust a dwarf angel any more than I would a foxface. I have had a kole tang in a 4ft tank for 3 years now and he is doing great. I honestly don't think another 2 feet would make any difference to him.

I would strongly advise against tangs in that low of a tank.

Lawnmower blenny, seahare, turbo snails, emerald crabs.

After getting the rock and sand in and seeing how low it really is, I tend to agree it is probably too low for the larger species. I still think a kole or similar bristletooth would be fine. I have had lawnmowers in the past and I am not a fan of them, especially compared to the kole.

I am just looking for fish suggestions, I already know what CUC I will be going with. I was just hoping there were some good algae eating fish I was forgetting about.

 

[HB AL]

My yellow and purple tang manicure the rocks all day long, only time they stop is when all the fish get fed.

 

[Joe's Coral Reef]

Any experience with scopas tangs?

I have a scopas, he's an algae machine, gets along great with my rabbit fish and clowns. I don't know if its normal, but mine is a tad shy, zero aggression. They are interesting, because at first look they look just drab, but upon closer inspection I find them very cool.

 

[Jesterrace]

I have been considering a yellow tang. I have heard about them becoming quite the bully though.

They definitely can, especially in a tank that size. I just removed one from my 90 gallon for that very reason (took a chunk out of my coral beauty's lower fin and started slapping him with his scalpel). Bristletooth would be a better choice all around for that size tank, although they tend to eat detritus more than hair algae. The Tomini Tang or Squaretail would be the best fits as they stay under 7 inches in size when full grown. Scopas are good for functionality, but get WAY TOO BIG for that size tank. I agree that a Lawnmower Blenny would probably be your best bet for algae control in a tank that size.

 

[Greybeard]

Scopas tangs get big... I have one in a 16" high tank, and I'm pretty sure I'll have to rehome him at some point.

Kole or Tomini would be my suggestions, as far as tangs go.

I've got an orange spot rabbitfish. Excellent algae eater, but man, he's growing fast. 2.5" or so 6 months ago, more than doubled his size now, approaching 6" long.

Soft coral growout tank... Conch? Fighting conch, or sand conch, depending on substrate.

 

[nereefpat]

I have had a kole tang in a 4ft tank for 3 years now and he is doing great. I honestly don't think another 2 feet would make any difference to him.

By "short," I meant not tall.

 

[PDR]

Scopas tangs get big... I have one in a 16" high tank, and I'm pretty sure I'll have to rehome him at some point.

Kole or Tomini would be my suggestions, as far as tangs go.

I've got an orange spot rabbitfish. Excellent algae eater, but man, he's growing fast. 2.5" or so 6 months ago, more than doubled his size now, approaching 6" long.

Soft coral growout tank... Conch? Fighting conch, or sand conch, depending on substrate.

I think conchs are super underrated. I will definitely have some in this tank since it has a sandbed. Other CUC will be emerald crabs and a variety of snails.

By "short," I meant not tall.

My bad, I just read it wrong.

 

[PDR]

Thanks for the input everyone. I ended up ordering a squaretail tang along with a couple of wrasses for pest control. The final stocking will be a squaretail tang, melanurus wrasse, yellow wrasse and 2 ocellaris clowns.