Eats like a Yellow, costs like a Kole?

[kamehameha]

I was watching some BRStv videos and they recommended, pretty strongly, getting a Yellow Tang shortly after completing a cycle. They recommended this before YT's became a $200 fish. So I am wondering are there any equivalent tangs out there that wont run $200?

It seems like good advice, get a YT just as the ugly stage is starting and let it mow the algae for you. But are there any tangs that have the same care level, eating habits, algae preferences, max size, and previous costs of a Yellow Tang? I guess it wouldn't need to look as pretty, but that would be bonus points! I've seen a Foxface recommended on other forums, but I'm a scaredy cat of them spines

 

[i cant think]

I was watching some BRStv videos and they recommended, pretty strongly, getting a Yellow Tang shortly after completing a cycle. They recommended this before YT's became a $200 fish. So I am wondering are there any equivalent tangs out there that wont run $200?

It seems like good advice, get a YT just as the ugly stage is starting and let it mow the algae for you. But are there any tangs that have the same care level, eating habits, algae preferences, max size, and previous costs of a Yellow Tang? I guess it wouldn't need to look as pretty, but that would be bonus points! I've seen a Foxface recommended on other forums, but I'm a scaredy cat of them spines

Blue eye kole, after owning this one I’d never have a large (4’+) tank without one. If you want something like a YT and have a 4’ tank, the Foxfaces are better and aren’t such a pain will aggression, there’s no fish better than algae other than a Foxface. Their spines are weak unless you put full pressure and corner the fox with your hand. Often tbey just go and hide on the other side of the tank as soon as a hand is in the tank (Atleast my S. magnificus does).

 

[DrZoidburg]

I don't even know why they would recommend a yt. The ones I've had barely do anything. There are better options.

 

[kamehameha]

Blue eye kole, after owning this one I’d never have a large (4’+) tank without one. If you want something like a YT and have a 4’ tank, the Foxfaces are better and aren’t such a pain will aggression, there’s no fish better than algae other than a Foxface. Their spines are weak unless you put full pressure and corner the fox with your hand. Often tbey just go and hide on the other side of the tank as soon as a hand is in the tank (Atleast my S. magnificus does).

So I was thinking about this, I am a bit germophobic anyway and love keeping my hands clean. So my hands never go in the water without my gloves on. Do you think these would stop a sting from a fox? Or do you think I should just not be worried about a sting anyway?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Scopas does the same work as a yt and still very affordable.

Bristletooth's though for the win as far as workers though. They go mowing the algea non stop.

 

[Vyper]

Person I don’t think the yellow can compete with the kole tang. the bristle tooth tangs are lawn mowers

 

[DrZoidburg]

If can get a healthy convict tang they do work all day.

 

[kamehameha]

Scopas does the same work as a yt and still very affordable.

Bristletooth's though for the win as far as workers though. They go mowing the algea non stop.

So my LFS recommended a scopas as well, they are asking $175 so my LFS is out. But I had read that Bristletooths can be harder to care for and that they often don't go for prepared algae foods or the same kinds of algae as Yellows.

P.s. never owned a tang before, I'm on my first 4' tank.

 

[workhz]

I've always thought the YT were a little fragile. My Tomini is a trooper. Grazes a bit but I don't think he'd really make a dent into a fully blown ugly stage with GHA.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

So my LFS recommended a scopas as well, they are asking $175 so my LFS is out. But I had read that Bristletooths can be harder to care for and that they often don't go for prepared algae foods or the same kinds of algae as Yellows.

P.s. never owned a tang before, I'm on my first 4' tank.

$175 is about 4 scopas+ a few bricks of frozen food. I have never seen one locally more than $50. I bought two in the last two months for $35 each.

That is a crazy price imo.

I've never had any issues with the BT tangs. Very rarely hear about issues with them.

Anything in the Bristletooth family should do fine in a 4-ft tank.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I've always thought the YT were a little fragile. My Tomini is a trooper. Grazes a bit but I don't think he'd really make a dent into a fully blown ugly stage with GHA.

They often times will not pick at long algae. If your growth is that bad try tearing off as much as you can as close to the rock and watch them clean the rocks.

 

[i cant think]

So I was thinking about this, I am a bit germophobic anyway and love keeping my hands clean. So my hands never go in the water without my gloves on. Do you think these would stop a sting from a fox? Or do you think I should just not be worried about a sting anyway?

That could stop it but i find that being stung is rather rare (I have had my hand in my tank Atleast once every week it’s been up and my Foxface Thats Atleast 5” just goes the opposite way).

So my LFS recommended a scopas as well, they are asking $175 so my LFS is out. But I had read that Bristletooths can be harder to care for and that they often don't go for prepared algae foods or the same kinds of algae as Yellows.

P.s. never owned a tang before, I'm on my first 4' tank.

So, the Ctenochaetus and Zebrasoma tangsare designed to go after different algae however, mine mowed down short GHA and the Foxface went after the longer strands. In my opinion I would throw out the Zebrasoma tangs and always have a Foxface/Ctenochaetus duo in any tank big enough. I find that due to be the most useful and in 6’ tanks throw in an Acanthurus tang for the eye catching hard To keep fish.
Here’s my duo:
Siganus magnificus (Magnificent Foxface) - I went with this species for the unusual colouration in foxfaces:

He constantly does his job and then perches, here’s a photo with his colours showing and spines out:

Ctenochaetus binotatus (Twinspot bristletooth tang) - I went with this guy because in all honesty, I wanted to get rid of the ugly stage quickly and he caught my eye:

In the tips of the tail you see yellow creeping in, that changes on personality, here’s a photo of what I came home to see one day:

 

[kamehameha]

$175 is about 4 scopas+ a few bricks of frozen food. I have never seen one locally more than $50. I bought two in the last two months for $35 each.

That is a crazy price imo.

I've never had any issues with the BT tangs. Very rarely hear about issues with them.

Anything in the Bristletooth family should do fine in a 4-ft tank.

Yeah I always check them against liveaquaria now. They charge 53-70 depending on size for scopas. My LFS also asks $199 for a 1.5" Dwarf Flame. Basically if it isn't a clownfish they overcharge for everything, equipment included.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Yeah I always check them against liveaquaria now. They charge 53-70 depending on size for scopas. My LFS also asks $199 for a 1.5" Dwarf Flame. Basically if it isn't a clownfish they overcharge for everything, equipment included.

$200 for a flame angel is in the right range correctly, and locally. I just took one into my LFS and got $200 credit for it because there's a huge market for them right now and they can't find them.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I am also not sure why they recommend a algae eating species on a newly cycled tank. These guys will need a lot to survive if any size at all until eating sheets and other foods. If more algae prevelent it allows for more natural grazing for the fish. I always tell reefers to wait a bit and see algae growing and such before ever thinking of a fish clean up crew (tangs, foxface, blenny, sand sifter).

 

[c_johns89]

I was watching some BRStv videos and they recommended, pretty strongly, getting a Yellow Tang shortly after completing a cycle. They recommended this before YT's became a $200 fish. So I am wondering are there any equivalent tangs out there that wont run $200?

It seems like good advice, get a YT just as the ugly stage is starting and let it mow the algae for you. But are there any tangs that have the same care level, eating habits, algae preferences, max size, and previous costs of a Yellow Tang? I guess it wouldn't need to look as pretty, but that would be bonus points! I've seen a Foxface recommended on other forums, but I'm a scaredy cat of them spines

My tomini tang and one spot foxface are algae eating work horses would highly recommend either, all they do is pick at the rocks

 

[i cant think]

I am also not sure why they recommend a algae eating species on a newly cycled tank. These guys will need a lot to survive if any size at all until eating sheets and other foods. If more algae prevelent it allows for more natural grazing for the fish. I always tell reefers to wait a bit and see algae growing and such before ever thinking of a fish clean up crew (tangs, foxface, blenny, sand sifter).

While I agree with this I also disagree because I got my Foxface a week after the tank cycled and he thrived. It was only a month later algae showed and I got the tang a month after (The first month of algae showing the CBB I have went in). I find under the right care you can have fish like this but also, foxfaces own a herbivore strict diet right? Mine eats anything in the tank, forget herbivorous this guy is more carnivorous but that is just because I have no algae growing since a sponge is filtrating and outcompeting algae growth in my sump.

 

[ScottB]

I have four tanks and each has a One Spot Foxface and yellow eyed Kole at minimum. They're just great working fish.

 

[kamehameha]

I am also not sure why they recommend a algae eating species on a newly cycled tank. These guys will need a lot to survive if any size at all until eating sheets and other foods. If more algae prevelent it allows for more natural grazing for the fish. I always tell reefers to wait a bit and see algae growing and such before ever thinking of a fish clean up crew (tangs, foxface, blenny, sand sifter).

So the idea is that they keep the algae from growing into something that makes the tank look ugly, but not to add it in before algae is able to start growing (according to them) I got this from their 5 minute guide series, just a rabbit hole I jumped in last night lol.

I have four tanks and each has a One Spot Foxface and yellow eyed Kole at minimum. They just great working fish.

I had planned on having a Square tail or two spot bristletooth in my tank. I'm thinking now I might lean more towards the foxface. My tank is a 75g with a sump 4' wide. Would that house a one spot foxface and a bristletooth long term?

Currently I have 2 clowns, a firefish, and a Yellow Watchman. Only other fish I want is a Dwarf Flame Angel.

 

[kamehameha]

$200 for a flame angel is in the right range correctly, and locally. I just took one into my LFS and got $200 credit for it because there's a huge market for them right now and they can't find them.

My only problem with this is that they cost $99 via live aquaria and $79 via reef chasers. I like supporting the local store, but not for double the cost. Even those $25 gloves I got from amazon, they have them for $69 and they wont price match.