Getting a foxface fish to eat bryopsys

[CenlaReefer]

I am planning to purchase a one spot foxface fish to help me with my bryopsis. I also thought it would be a nice addition to my 75 gallon tank. I read an article from Advanced Aquarist that makes me think that a more mature, older foxface will eat this algae. Here is a link to the article with a quotation: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/8/fish2
- "All of these are primarily algal grazers in the wild, with juveniles tending to eat smaller types of algae and adults feeding on larger and tougher seaweeds and such."

I have 2 tuxedo urchins and 3 emerald crabs that are helping tremendously; however, I would like to totally get rid of this stuff and at a faster rate.

Is there a way to help train the foxface fish to eat bryopsys? Can something be done to persuade the fish to get a taste for this stuff while he is being quarantined? Would it be effective to restrict other food and only allow him some rocks with bryopsys during the quarantine? Has anyone had experience with a juvenile foxface not eating this algae when young, yet progressing to eat bryopsys as it matures? I'm also curious about how much success folks on R2R have had when using this fish to get rid of this nasty algae. I guess it could be good idea to purchase a foxface from someone who has had success with the fish eating bryopsys... also a fish with a good reputation not to nip at corals.

 

[Triggreef]

I have never had any luck with fish to eat bryopsis. I always suggest emeralds and red mithrax crabs. In the correct amount of them, they will eradicate it. They will feed on whatever scraps they find after. I use them in my frag tanks and all tanks in large amounts.

Adding the foxface will only add to your bio load, and increase the problem.

 

[Pete polyp]

Once the foxface recognizes the bryopsis as a food source it will disappear quickly. There's nothing you can do to speed up the process.

 

[vic67]

I tried to feed the tank a little less to encourage my Foxface to eat some of the bryopsis; that's when he went for my Atom Bomb chalice.

I got an urchin and a lettuce nudibranch that have eaten a lot of the bryopsis. GL

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have had better success with seahares eating bryopsis than with foxfaces.

 

[CenlaReefer]

For a 75 display with a 30 gallon sump, I have only the following fish:

A medium tomini tang, 1 oscalaris clown, 2 blue green chromis, and 2 freshwater mollies which I slowly acclimated to SW. I put the mollies in there because I read that there was some success with using these to take care of bryopsys. It did not work.

I do not think that adding a one-spot foxface (rated at 60-75 gallon and above) would cause my tank to have too much bioload. I actually need a little bit more bioload for the health of my corals in my opinion. For instance, zoas and some mushrooms do not thrive in my tank.

The 2 tuxedo urchins have saved my tank from disaster. I considered getting one more urchin to help them finish the job, yet decided I need one more fish anyway. I read that keeping the foxface well-fed will keep it from nipping at corals. I hope that is the case.

Any thoughts of trying to get the foxface to eat the bryopsys while in quarantine? Would this help the fish to recognize this stuff as a food source?

 

[chaoha]

I have a one spot fox face in my 75. He keeps the bryopsis under control but never completely eliminated it

 

[Triggreef]

For a 75 display with a 30 gallon sump, I have only the following fish:

A medium tomini tang, 1 oscalaris clown, 2 blue green chromis, and 2 freshwater mollies which I slowly acclimated to SW. I put the mollies in there because I read that there was some success with using these to take care of bryopsys. It did not work.

I do not think that adding a one-spot foxface (rated at 60-75 gallon and above) would cause my tank to have too much bioload. I actually need a little bit more bioload for the health of my corals in my opinion. For instance, zoas and some mushrooms do not thrive in my tank.

The 2 tuxedo urchins have saved my tank from disaster. I considered getting one more urchin to help them finish the job, yet decided I need one more fish anyway. I read that keeping the foxface well-fed will keep it from nipping at corals. I hope that is the case.

Any thoughts of trying to get the foxface to eat the bryopsys while in quarantine? Would this help the fish to recognize this stuff as a food source?

You said you have 3, I'd your add about 10 emerald crabs you'll have no briopsis in a matter of 3 weeks.

 

[eatbreakfast]

The 2 tuxedo urchins have saved my tank from disaster. I considered getting one more urchin to help them finish the job, yet decided I need one more fish anyway. I read that keeping the foxface well-fed will keep it from nipping at corals. I hope that is the case.

Just be mindful that most algae eating fish don't 'like' to eat bryopsis and only do so as a last resort. So keeping it well fed so that it doesn't pick at corals may also keep it fed enough so it doesn't eat the bryopsis either.

 

[RMS18]

I suggest peroxide. 2 months later I am 95% bryopsis free. Here and there I will get a small couple of stands, pull the rock spot treat and poof gone. Good luck

 

[nova65ss]

Ive had the best luck with sea hares as well destroys the stuff.

 

[CenlaReefer]

How long can one go for not feeding foxface before he nips at corals? If I went away for a weekend and missed one day, would it tear into my LPSs?

 

[CenlaReefer]

There was a possibility of getting a one spot foxface this weekend yet there were none available at the LFSs. I am going to forego getting one altogether based on your advice. Instead, the plan is for an additional 3rd tuxedo urchin and some more emerald crabs. I am confident this will do the job yet take a while. Thanks everyone!