How much algae do tangs eat??

Birchell · 12-18-2006, 03:36 PM

Hey guys,

I was woundering if having a yellow tang to help with algae blooms is worth it. The tank is only going to be a 55 gallon for now, so it will have to be a young tang, but I dont want to get one if it will not fight some algae. Also how much algae will angel fish eat?? I know Im getting a flame angel, so would I be getting the job done the same with the angel? I dont like getting fish that everyone under the sun has, lol so I really dont want a yellow tang. Other than lawn mower bleenies what fish will help control algae? Thanks,

Michael

Dyngoe · 12-18-2006, 03:44 PM

Hi,

Glad to referenced the lawnmower blenny. I have one and I suggest one to everyone. Not the prettiest fish, but he's cool as ice. Every once in a while I find him chilling on my coral just basking. He also has an appetite for algae. I have a frag shelf in my sump and it doesn't get great water flow so the pieces grow a little hair algae every now and then. All I have to do is drop them into the main tank one morning and the next day they are clean. OK, enogh about blennies.
I also have a yellow Tang and he will eat hair algae and appears to go for diatom algae on the rocks but not to the extent a blenny does. Given the fact that I feed him and he prodcues waste, I'm estimating he just cleansup after himself. Still, a 0-sum game is better than nothing. And, they are great fish to have in your tank.
As for other fish to eat algae? I'm sure there are more, but for the price I'd get snails, emeral crabs, sea slugs, etc. Let these $3 critters be the janitors for your nice fish. Feed your fish steak (metaphorically) and let the peons clean up after them.

philip_r5 · 12-18-2006, 03:52 PM

Agree with Dyngoe. Buy the cheap things to be the cleaners not the better looking fish. I currently have a Coral Beauty. When I first got it and had alot of algae/hair algae the Coral was Beautiful with dark rich color. Now that most of it is gone she has lost some color. I now have to supliment algae with the dried sea weed stuff. However this isnt her main diet she eats bloodworms and mysis shrimp as well. So once again agreeing with Dyngoe get some janitors like the snails, crabs, and slugs to clean up after the main fish.

amcarrig · 12-18-2006, 03:53 PM

To control your algae, you need to take the stuff out of the water that's causing it in the first place. It helps to have an algae eating fish to keep "normal" algae in check but that is not going to solve an algae "problem". That being said, I would look into a kole tang if you don't want a yellow. As to how much they eat, that's entirely up to the fish

Matt Rogers · 12-18-2006, 04:12 PM

I agree with Amcarrig and Dyngoe about the Blenny.

I found Yellow Tangs to be some of the most aggressive. Also not quite the algae eater compared to a Kole tang. At least the ones I've had. FYI.

In case you missed it, this is a good post on tangs.

usmc121581 · 12-19-2006, 06:21 AM

I had a yellow tang and then got rid of it because every fish I added he would try to kill. So to settle the score I got rid of him.

coral reefer · 12-19-2006, 10:08 AM

Tangs are grazers and will continually look for pieces of micro and macro algae on rocks etc. As Amcarrig stated, you don't want the tang to be the solution to your problem of nuisance algae...the key is to determine why you are getting the algae and take corrective measures to alleviate the problem. Many times it is due to overfeeding(excess Phosphates in your water), sometimes caused by lighting arrangements however...
Do you plan on keeping corals and inverts in your tank? If so, you need to reconsider the idea of having a Centropyge Angel or any Angel in your tank!!!!
A Red-Lipped Blenny may be another good addition to your tank to help with the algae problem-I have one that is constantly looking for algae to eat!

Birchell · 12-19-2006, 01:30 PM

Thanks guys. I already have the bleenie in my nano so that is a given. I love that little guy, plus it just started eating dry food so I dont have to worry about running out of algae again, lol. The tank will be a fowlr for alittle while, but I will be upgrading the lighting soon, but I only have xenia, blue stripe shrooms, and a bta so Im not to worried about the angel. I would rather have an angel now anyway, he he. I think Im just going to ditch the tang idea. A big clean up crew should be all I need. There is just to much stuff to worry about with a tang. I dont wanna hear, " I have to small of a tank", or have to worry about aggression with an 8 inch fish right now. I just ditched the red devil cichlid in the freshwater tank becase of that. I just want a tank were the fish get along for the most part. Thanks guys for your help,

Michael

amcarrig · 12-19-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birchell

The tank will be a fowlr for alittle while, but I will be upgrading the lighting soon, but I only have xenia, blue stripe shrooms, and a bta so Im not to worried about the angel.

Yeah, that makes your FOWLR a reef tank

Birchell · 12-30-2006, 07:20 PM

lol, well its a weak one.