great algae eating fish for 40 gallon breeder?

[fishnut321]

hello, I would really enjoy a tang in my tank, but my new tank is only a 40 breeder and would not morally be able to keep one in this tank...

Is there an equally apealling fish that would eat simliar ammounts/types of algae as a tang that would make a great canidate for my tank?

My current inhabitants are:

six line wrasse
royal gramma
purple fire fish
soft, lps and sps corals with mainly sps corals
would like a few clams in the near future.

What is everyone's opinions, i believe an angel will be out for me since they can nip at sps and clams

Thanks!

[crvz]

I dare say no, you'll not find a fish that would control algae in a tank that size (and even in larger systems, relying on fish is seldom successful).

[Kbreef]

A lawn mower Blenny...lots of character, tey people wathc and they tons of algae...

[EQCM2B]

I second the Lawn mower blenny. Mine had a great personality and did help with some types of alge when I had it.

[EQCM2B]

Another good algae eater, although not a fish, would be an urchin. They even eat the coraline algae.

[fishnut321]

well i enjoy the tangs due to their functionality eating algae, apearance and activity. Since I cant have one im trying to find a fish that will take that "show" fish spot in my system. My tank runs has very little algae, i was more interested in a fish that would do something other than swim and poop? any ideas

Ive had the lawnmowers, that one will be on the list

[fishnut321]

let me rephrase since ive seen lots of views and only a few responses. What would make a great reef friendly show fish for a 40 gallon breeder that will get along with peaceful fish, sps, and clams?

[fishnut321]

anyone?

[jason2459]

You kind of have the same fish list that I plan on getting.

Some percs.
a blenny
royal gamma
Kaudern's Cardinal
Flasher wrasse
Green Mandarin

All peaceful and reef safe and I think the wrasse and Mandarin would be my show type fish.

[fishnut321]

i would love a mandarin but its too risky imho to try one in my tank

[jason2459]

It would probably be okay except you'd most likely have to chose between the 6 line or the mandarin.

[fishnut321]

jason you have a very good point my six line decimated my pod population which is just now coming back