Sea Hare

[Mr. Fish]

I think I am going to get a sea hare to control the massive amounts of hair algae in my 24 gallon. I see that the mail order fish stores can get different types of sea hares, can LFS get different types also? If so what are the best algae eaters?

[crvz]

your LFS should be able to get anything that you find online, but I'd warn you not to expect the sea hare to solve your problems. you're better off finding the fuel that's feeding the algae instead. look at ways to import fewer nutrients (fewer fish, less feeding, etc). and exporting more nutrients (more water changes, add or get a better skimmer, siphon wastes, etc.).

[Patterson117]

Sea hares seem to have a high mortality rate in home aquariums.....I have had a lot of success recently with pin cushion urchins wiping out the hair algae. They do pick up a lot of stuff(shells, frags etc) on their backs though.....one of their drawbacks.

[unclejed2]

I think I am going to get a sea hare to control the massive amounts of hair algae in my 24 gallon. I see that the mail order fish stores can get different types of sea hares, can LFS get different types also? If so what are the best algae eaters?

Hello, o.k. first I will say up front that unless you have a tank where you can easily keep track of and see the "sea hare" I would not get one. If and when it dies (and it will) and you can't find it or have easy access to it it will poison the tank. If you do not have a phosphate reactor I highly suggest it and use granular ferric oxide. Smaller Tuxedo Urchins (Blue or Orange) will do a great jog on eradicating the algae. If you are not feeding heavy, something else is feeding the algae. Make sure your lights are not on the cusp of loosing their spectrum.

[droberts]

i have been Abel to keep my sea hare going for 6 months now with out feeding it and its still nice and plump. i do run gfo and am still doing water changes and have new bulbs. but i have a 125rr and lots of live rock for it to forage on. good luck they are a cool critter

[Metal Man 1221]

my sea hare wond up in a power head with in two weeks, dont get me wrong it did a great job a mowing down the green hair, but if youve got any power heads, i would suggest putting a screen or foam filter over the intake