Dwarf angel vs bristletooth tang for algae

littlefoxx · Mar 26, 2023

Hey all. Im setting an aggressive tank up in a 70 gallon and moving my peaceful community to a 125 gallon.

I plan to have 2 maroon clowns, snowflake eel, and dwarf lionfish.

Problem is this tank is overrun with algae (hair) and stuff so Im needing another fish that can hang with these guys to put in to help with this. I was looking at a bristletooth tang or a coral beauty angelfish.

Just looking for suggestions! Ive got lots of rocks and lots of crevices and caves for all these guys to hide, just mainly looking for a good fish for algae! I have an urchin now and while he is doing so good he is getting his butt kicked and he needs help!

EgotisticObeseChihuahua · Mar 26, 2023

I would go for a species of Tang. They tend to be better at the grazing stuff and can tolerate aggresive tanks better than dwarf angelfish.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Mar 26, 2023

Of the 2 fish you mentioned, I'd recommend a bristletooth tang.
But I also recommend aggressive manual removal, additional cuc*, and addressing any overfeeding or other cause.
*One urchin in a 70 gallon tank is not even close to enough of an algae cuc.

littlefoxx · Mar 26, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
Of the 2 fish you mentioned, I'd recommend a bristletooth tang.
But I also recommend aggressive manual removal, additional cuc*, and addressing any overfeeding or other cause.
*One urchin in a 70 gallon tank is not even close to enough of an algae cuc.

Yeah I know about the urchin, I was just seeing how he does in my tank first! And this eel is actually okay with inverts like hermits and big snails. This one never touched any of those but he has eaten some small fish weirdly enough.

Tamberav · Mar 26, 2023

Foxface would work even better

littlefoxx · Mar 27, 2023

Tamberav said:
Foxface would work even better

I actually do have a tiny baby foxface, but she will go in the 125! Good to know she is a good grazer for that tank, thank you!! They just get to big for my 70, thats why I was looking into a bristletooth or dwarf angel

sfin52 · Mar 27, 2023

Bristle tooth tang

littlefoxx · Mar 27, 2023

Cool! Sounds like bristletooth would work better for the kind of tank I want! Now theres the question of which one… anyone have an idea? I was looking at a blue eye kole, two spot or a tomini tang since the yellow eye and white tail are sooooo expensive

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Mar 27, 2023

littlefoxx said:
Cool! Sounds like bristletooth would work better for the kind of tank I want! Now theres the question of which one… anyone have an idea? I was looking at a blue eye kole, two spot or a tomini tang since the yellow eye and white tail are sooooo expensive

Whatever color you prefer; they're all about the same as far as their utility

littlefoxx · Mar 27, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
Whatever color you prefer; they're all about the same as far as their utility

So been looking at the blue eyed/two spot bristle tooth. Theres so many images of different colors??? Like yellow/tan but then theres ones with a grey/blue and purple/red. Anyone know what the difference is? I like the more colorful one. Like is it juv colors vs adult or just different blue eyes?

TCseh · Mar 27, 2023

littlefoxx said:
So been looking at the blue eyed/two spot bristle tooth. Theres so many images of different colors??? Like yellow/tan but then theres ones with a grey/blue and purple/red. Anyone know what the difference is? I like the more colorful one. Like is it juv colors vs adult or just different blue eyes?

If its anything like the white tail bristletooth the light tan means it's a juvi. With the color being red or black is just luck.

littlefoxx · Mar 27, 2023

TCseh said:
If its anything like the white tail bristletooth the light tan means it's a juvi. With the color being red or black is just luck.

Oh interesting. What is the normal color for adults do you know?

TCseh · Mar 27, 2023

littlefoxx said:
Oh interesting. What is the normal color for adults do you know?

Not really sure. All I know is that they get dark and the amount of red is random. At my lfs I was able to pick up a 4+inch white tail and he has a lot of red. I don't have a picture right now but mine looks similar to the one with more red. The other one is nearly all black so I think it's just luck when you get a juvi.

TCseh · Mar 27, 2023

TCseh said:
Not really sure. All I know is that they get dark and the amount of red is random. At my lfs I was able to pick up a 4+inch white tail and he has a lot of red. I don't have a picture right now but mine looks similar to the one with more red. The other one is nearly all black so I think it's just luck when you get a juvi.

R2r died on me so have to send the second picture like this.

littlefoxx · Mar 27, 2023

TCseh said:
R2r died on me so have to send the second picture like this.

Beautiful! But the fact is they do get darker and wont stay that tanish/yellow?

TCseh · Mar 27, 2023

littlefoxx said:
Beautiful! But the fact is they do get darker and wont stay that tanish/yellow?

Yes they won't keep that tanish/yellow. I can get a picture of mine in the morning if you would like to see.

littlefoxx · Mar 27, 2023

TCseh said:
Yes they won't keep that tanish/yellow. I can get a picture of mine in the morning if you would like to see.

Yes please!

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Mar 27, 2023

littlefoxx said:
So been looking at the blue eyed/two spot bristle tooth. Theres so many images of different colors??? Like yellow/tan but then theres ones with a grey/blue and purple/red. Anyone know what the difference is? I like the more colorful one. Like is it juv colors vs adult or just different blue eyes?

My two spot/blue eye does change color a bit depending on mood and lighting. In my previous tank (with AI Hydras) it was darker -more lavender/purple and red - but in my new tank (T5s and LEDs) it's lighter, more orange/tan. I'd say pick one out in person if you can.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Mar 27, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
My two spot/blue eye does change color a bit depending on mood and lighting. In my previous tank (with AI Hydras) it was darker -more lavender/purple and red - but in my new tank (T5s and LEDs) it's lighter, more orange/tan. I'd say pick one out in person if you can.

Regardless, they are beautiful fish