Blenny v Blenny in 29DT

[IE Reefer]

Hi everyone,
In my 29DT I currently have a Flame Tail Blenny and I'm hoping to introduce a Lawnmower Blenny to (hopefully) eliminate all the hair algae in my tank because my tux urchin isn't doing that great of a job. Do you guys think that introducing another blenny in such a small tank would be okay? Or should I just roll up my sleeves and manually attempt to remove all the hair algae myself?

 

[blaxsun]

Lawnmower blennies are notoriously overrated for algae cleanup duty. In my experience, they often ate everything but the algae they were intended for. They should be fine together.

My tuxedos never really went after hair algae, either. I think they prefer coralline and sticking to the glass.

 

[MaxTremors]

Lawnmowers really need large tanks to live longterm, they get pretty large. Also, they don’t eat long GHA, they’ll only eat the fresh new growth that they can rasp off the rocks. I would suggest something smaller like a Tailspot, they also eat algae but are much more appropriate for a nano. I have one in my 28g, and her belly is constantly stuffed, she spends all day picking at the rocks/glass.

 

[rmorris_14]

My lawnmower blenny eats more meat than he does algae. My LFS sold it to me as the "best option to combat my hair algae issue". What a joke that has turned out to be. lol

I have seen some people swear by them, but in my experience he is probably creating more algae by contributing to my bioload more than he is actually removing. Plus mine is JERK and stresses out my watchman Gobbie. I'd buy a 100 more snails before I invested in another lawnmower blenny.

 

[IE Reefer]

Lawnmowers really need large tanks to live longterm, they get pretty large. Also, they don’t eat long GHA, they’ll only eat the fresh new growth that they can rasp off the rocks. I would suggest something smaller like a Tailspot, they also eat algae but are much more appropriate for a nano. I have one in my 28g, and her belly is constantly stuffed, she spends all day picking at the rocks/glass.

I'm hoping to keep the fish temporarily until the hair algae is completely eliminated. I'll have to send a picture of the type of hair algae I have at home, I'm not completely sure if it will be suitable for the potential new fish. Oh, yeah I forgot about Tailspots, I should keep an eye out for them too.

 

[IE Reefer]

My lawnmower blenny eats more meat than he does algae. My LFS sold it to me as the "best option to combat my hair algae issue". What a joke that has turned out to be. lol

I have seen some people swear by them, but in my experience he is probably creating more algae by contributing to my bioload more than he is actually removing. Plus mine is JERK and stresses out my watchman Gobbie. I'd buy a 100 more snails before I invested in another lawnmower blenny.

Wow, I have a YWG and it's about 3-3 1/2" so I don't think no one will be messing with him. The only one I'm worried about that might pick on him is my ORA Sunset Dottyback (I hate him) and the Flame Tail Blenny since they've been sort of hostile to each other (but never really fight, only open their mouths very wide).

 

[IE Reefer]

Lawnmower blennies are notoriously overrated for algae cleanup duty. In my experience, they often ate everything but the algae they were intended for. They should be fine together.

My tuxedos never really went after hair algae, either. I think they prefer coralline and sticking to the glass.

That's what it seems like so far with this guy, I like him bc it adds diversity to my small clean-up crew but it's been quite a disappointment. What other animals would you recommend to eliminate the hair algae?

 

[blaxsun]

That's what it seems like so far with this guy, I like him bc it adds diversity to my small clean-up crew but it's been quite a disappointment. What other animals would you recommend to eliminate the hair algae?

From an inverts perspective, possibly a small female emerald crab. I've honestly never really had an issue with hair algae. Other than coralline my cleanup crew pretty much stays on top of things.

You could also try some spiny astrea snails and ring cowries for your rocks. They might help to some limited extent.

 

[Andresnyc93]

Lawnmowers don’t really eat that much GHA in my experience, plus that fish will add a huge bioload into your system so you’ll be adding more nutrients to the algae to keep growing. Get a sea hare and they will destroy you GHA way faster than any other fish

 

[rmorris_14]

Wow, I have a YWG and it's about 3-3 1/2" so I don't think no one will be messing with him. The only one I'm worried about that might pick on him is my ORA Sunset Dottyback (I hate him) and the Flame Tail Blenny since they've been sort of hostile to each other (but never really fight, only open their mouths very wide).

My Yellow watchman is about that size, maybe slightly bigger, and he and the lawnmower blenny ( who is about the same size) go toe to toe. I've even seen top fin damage on my goby from them fighting over the blenny getting too close to the gobies hideout. The goby sends him warnings to back off, but the blenny doesn't and almost seems to enjoy taunting him. I told the Blenny he had one more shot, and then he was going into fish jail in my hospital tank until he goes back to the LFS. The closer I get to going on vacation, the more I want to give him back because I just don't trust him. It's probably the eyebrows HAHA.

Obviously thats just my experience and in your tank, they could be best friends.