LM blenny alternatives

canadianeh · Jun 10, 2020

I am looking utilitarian fish that loves algae for 3’ 55 gallons tank. I don’t like the coloration of lawnmower blenny or Molly Miller blenny.

What are the alternatives?

Mr_Knightley · Jun 10, 2020

An alternative could be a Starry blenny, related to the lawnmower. I'ts black with little white spots all over. The only downside to them is it's really hard to tell if they have ich or not, but if you buy from a vendor you trust, that shouldn't be an issue.
Good luck and God bless!

canadianeh · Jun 10, 2020

Starry blenny is a bit too large for me as they can get up to 5.5”.

Anything else?

Eva Rose · Jun 11, 2020

Tailspot Blenny. Lots of personality too.

canadianeh · Jun 11, 2020

It looks like with Tailspot Blenny, it could be hit and miss in term of algae control

Angel_Anthias lover · Jun 11, 2020

Theres golden sailfin blennies

Fiji Golden Sailfin Blenny

The yellow sailfin blenny from Fiji is a color variation of the black sailfin blenny. They make excellent algae eaters and even eat diatoms, film algae, and oth

reefs.com

Cell · Jun 11, 2020

Personally, although they eat algae, I dont think blennies are all that great at algae control. They will also chow down on whatever food you feed your other fish. A horned blenny may be an option for you, but again, not a super effective algae consumer imo.

canadianeh · Jun 11, 2020

Thanks

Pbh-reef · Jun 11, 2020

Maybe consider a tuxedo urchin or two

User1 · Jun 11, 2020

As said - blennies are a bit hit or miss especially if you don't like the lawnmower. The starry is pretty and may not be too big for your tank but totally respect the concern.

Urchins are nice. A bit of a bulldozer attitude from time to time. So if not secured stuff will get moved such as coral frags. Could acclimate mollies as an option. Another option is to just let the tank mature and manually remove what you can while working with tank balance and maturity. Then also add a balanced snail crew and be ok.

Back to blennies though - I've had both lawnmower and bi-color. Both scrapped the rocks but nothing was as good as my urchin, scopas and lavander tank. Turbo and other snails when balanced so they don't compete for food was also key.