Herbivore suggestions

[spiraling]

Hey everyone,
I'm planning the livestock for my tank. 109 gal, 5 ft long, mixed reef.
I would like a fish that eats the algae in the tank. I've heard mixed reviews on tangs, as they can get mean. I have also read that lawnmower blennies can starve with no algae, and get mean in time.

What fish do you recommend and why, and what order would it need to be stocked in?

Stocking list (planned)
2 percula and RBTA
1 watchman goby and pistol shrimp
2 mandarin

 

[donnievaz]

I've had a Lawnmower blenny for over a year now that doesn't touch hair algae. He destroys frozen food and is a fat pig. Don't worry about starvation with these guys but don't count on it keeping your tank algae free either. IMO a tang is your best bet. Any fish (mostly) can get mean, I would worry too much about that either.

 

[eatbreakfast]

In a 5' tank a blenny won't be a problem.

A kole or tomini tang should be fine too.

IMO the best algae eater out there is a seahare.

 

[spiraling]

In a 5' tank a blenny won't be a problem.

A kole or tomini tang should be fine too.

IMO the best algae eater out there is a seahare.

I'm not sure I'm ready for a large slug. But I'll keep that one in mind.

 

[alanbetiger]

Both the Sea Hare and the Lawnmower can starve if your tank is too clean. The lawnmower is less of an issue. So if you've always had an algae problem, not as big of a deal. But if you don't have an algae issue they wouldn't be a long term occupant.
I agree with a Kole or Tomini Tang/Bristletooth. They stay smaller so won't outgrow your tank, don't bother other fish too much, and are really good at keeping algae at bay. If the tank is pretty spotless they are easy to maintain on other food.

 

[Kyuss414]

Another + on the Kole or Tomini Tang. May not be the most colorful, but just an awesome fish and I'm not even a tang guy normally. Will be fine in a 5ft 109g, but will definitely use every inch of it looking for algae to graze on.

 

[Nanoreef523]

I have a lawnmower blenny that keeps my tank literally algae free. He is really fat and is a great fish. Would reccomend.

 

[Roy 9121]

Hey everyone,
I'm planning the livestock for my tank. 109 gal, 5 ft long, mixed reef.
I would like a fish that eats the algae in the tank. I've heard mixed reviews on tangs, as they can get mean. I have also read that lawnmower blennies can starve with no algae, and get mean in time.

What fish do you recommend and why, and what order would it need to be stocked in?

Stocking list (planned)
2 percula and RBTA
1 watchman goby and pistol shrimp
2 mandarin

I have a yellow eye tang in a 55 gallon tank. It's been a good tankmate so far. No problems, and loves him some algae

 

[colesjensen]

Ive got a kole tang and he's always working on algae. My favorite thing about them is they like to eat the algae off of the glass.

 

[Kmsutows]

Also the chevron tang is a good choice just like Kole tangs

 

[davocean]

I would choose one of the variations of bristletooth, but I have had good luck w/lawnmowers too and never had issues w/ them eating, in fact mine became little piggies and even a little pushy at feeding time.

 

[spiraling]

Also the chevron tang is a good choice just like Kole tangs

That is a beautiful fish, but probably out of my price range

 

[davocean]

That is a beautiful fish, but probably out of my price range

And they get a bit big for that size tank, and some do not like adult colors, they do get much darker as they mature.

 

[spiraling]

And they get a bit big for that size tank

I feel like a kole at 7" is a bit big for my tank. Is there anything smaller?

 

[eatbreakfast]

I feel like a kole at 7" is a bit big for my tank. Is there anything smaller?

Not a tang. Blennies are smaller.

 

[Kmsutows]

Even with darker coloration chevron tangs are, in my opinion, much nicer than the other bristle tooth tangs. A 109gal 5ft tank should be plenty.

 

[Preme]

My personal favorite type of bristle tooth tang is the white tail. They are a little higher in price but IMO it's worth it Here's a link to liveaquaria if you wanna check these guys out!
http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+3130&pcatid=3130

I also like the square tail bristletooth tang
http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+2994&pcatid=2994

 

[4FordFamily]

And yet another vote for a Kole or other bristletooth tang. Great indiscriminate (mostly) algae eaters!

 

[spiraling]

And yet another vote for a Kole or other bristletooth tang. Great indiscriminate (mostly) algae eaters!

Do they need to be the last fish added to a peaceful community tank?

 

[4FordFamily]

Do they need to be the last fish added to a peaceful community tank?

Nah they're not particularly aggressive, typically