Which of these tangs is the best algae eater?

[LobsterOfJustice]

Looking for something to eat hair & other algae. Scopas, tomini, or convict?

 

[Hitman]

This will help you make your choice.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...with-a-purpose-the-brs-wwv-system-ep19-brstv/

 

[11cmortarman]

Best 2 algae eaters in my tank are a sailfin and scopas

 

[Jesterrace]

Looking for something to eat hair & other algae. Scopas, tomini, or convict?

It varies based on the individual, but the two most likely to do well with algae from that list are Scopas and Tomini. Convict Tangs tend to be really hit and miss with their survival rate in captivity. My LFS has stated they are one of the worst success rates of survivability for them. What size is your tank?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

This is for a 4’ frag tank.

 

[nereefpat]

I don't have personal experience with convict tangs, but they are supposedly very good algae eaters.

A scopas should eat hair algae well.

A tomini probably won't eat hair at all. They, and the rest of the bristletooths, eat different algae....slime, film, detritus.

 

[Jesterrace]

The Scopas would be a good choice, but not for a 4 foot tank as they get really big. Shame too, as the Scopas IMHO are the best temperament of the Zebrasoma Tangs. The Tomini is really the only tang suited for a 4 foot frag tank and even that might be too shallow. Maybe go with a Lawnmower or Starry Blenny for a 4 foot frag tank.

 

[ca1ore]

It really does vary by individual. I had a scopas in my frag tank and it was a brown lump of useless. Never ate any algae. I do like the convict as an algae eater - either the regular one or even the zebra. I've had three and all were excellent grazers. Never had a tomini, but I wouldn't expect it to eat GHA.

 

[JumboShrimp]

My Yellow-Eyed Kole Tang keeps my 90 gallon FOWLR algae clean.

 

[DarkSky]

Scopas is in the same family as yellow/purple tangs I think, I have both of those and between the two of them my tank is algae free. I feel like their mouth is the perfect size and shape to get between rock crevices and devour whatever is growing.

 

[nereefpat]

Scopas is in the same->->Genus<-<- as yellow, purple, and others.

Tank size for a scopas: If it's a 4' 55gal, I would say no. If it's standard 75/standard 90, I would say it's debatable if it's the only tang. If it's a 4' 120 gallon, then I would say that would be perfectly fine...my opinion of course.

 

[Dennco2000]

This is a late post but the scopas will work in a 4ft tank, after a year or or so it will out grow the tank but by then the algae problem was under under control and I put her in my display tank were she is currently negotiating a rental agreement with my big old yellow tang. Not sure how that's going to work out lol.

 

[C. Eymann]

I think Ctenochaetus (bristletooth) tangs are the best for algae grazing and they can be kept in smaller tanks than zebrasoma and acanthurus tangs.

 

[Dennco2000]

And they are by far prettier than the scopas imo.

 

[Zboralski62]

Thanks for your input everyone. Here’s the current tank:

 

[X-37B]

Thanks for your input everyone. Here’s the current tank:

My tomini and convict dont touch it lol.
With that tank I would get a dolobella sea hare. Just rehome it when all the algae is gone. They are algae eating machines.

 

[Zboralski62]

Thanks for your input everyone. Here’s the current tank:

Whoops posted this in the wrong thread. (Facepalm)

Thanks for your input everyone. Here’s the current tank:

N00b here. Sorry I posted my photo/comment in the wrong thread (Facepalm).

 

[saltlife97]

It varies based on the individual, but the two most likely to do well with algae from that list are Scopas and Tomini. Convict Tangs tend to be really hit and miss with their survival rate in captivity. My LFS has stated they are one of the worst success rates of survivability for them. What size is your tank?

What is. Convict tang?

 

[X-37B]

What is. Convict tang?

Convict tang.

 

[saltlife97]

I like it