Fish guaranteed to eat hair algae

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 12:00 PM

I need a recommendation for a fish that's guaranteed to eat hair algae, peaceful but not prone to being bullied, and can comfortably thrive in a 320 gallon tank.

Bonus points if it is a centerpiece fish, as this is likely the last large fish I add to this tank.

Thanks!

Lincoln 993 · 10/08/2017, 12:13 PM

Guarantee is a hard word... I've heard that Foxface eat hair algae. My biggest success was with using an Algae Scrubber (not the rough pad, but the DIY thing). Grow the hair algae in another place and then use it as fertilizer for my plants. People have good luck with refugiums too. The best way to deal with HA is nutrient control, and since I don't like doing water changes, I just trick the algae into growing somewhere else since in most cases I'm smarter than algae lol. Good luck!

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 01:05 PM

Thanks.

I'm not looking for nutrient control suggestions, just fish. Not trying to be rude, I just want it focused on fish.

ReefTeacher · 10/08/2017, 01:22 PM

Most of the angels I have had will nibble on it in some amount. Unfortunately, they may also nibble on other things!

Gweeds · 10/08/2017, 01:41 PM

There is no such thing as a fish that's 'guaranteed' to eat GHA... that's like saying every human is guaranteed to like broccoli... just doesn't happen. There are those fish MORE likely than not to eat it, including bristletooth tangs, foxfaces, algae blennies, dwarf angels and some damsels. That's not a definitive list obvs, add to that a plethora of inverts that'll eat it, like Mexican turbos, seahares, some urchins and mithrax crabs...

If what you're after is a 'guaranteed' way to remove GHA, that my friend, is elbow grease and nutrient export, not fish.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 04:38 PM

I've been contemplating a white tail bristletooth, a multibar angelfish, and a magnificent foxface. I've read bristletooth can become aggressive, I'm not sure how effective a multibar would be, and I'm a little concerned with how large foxfaces can become.

I also eyed a convict tang, but they're pricy on diver's den and kind of plain looking. I also don't know if my tank is really large enough.

Don't get hung up on "guaranteed". A 9/10 probability is fine.

nereefpat · 10/08/2017, 05:11 PM

I think any Zebrasoma so would be much more likely to eat hair algae than any Ctenochaetus (bristetooth) tang. How about a yellow, purple or scopus? What is your current fish list?

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

I think any Zebrasoma so would be much more likely to eat hair algae than any Ctenochaetus (bristetooth) tang. How about a yellow, purple or scopus? What is your current fish list?

That's good info.

Maybe a purple... I just don't want aggression.

Currently, I've got:

2 False Percula clowns
2 Bristletail filefish
1 Copperband butterfly
2 Black Spot angelfish
5 Red Spot Cardinal fish
1 Starry Blenny
3 Lyretail Anthias (1 male, 2 female)

nereefpat · 10/08/2017, 06:12 PM

Awesome stocklist. I understand why you would want to keep it peaceful, and you would be sick if something happened to that butterfly or those angels.

I like the magnificent foxface. Several big, Mexican turbo snails would probably help too, although it sounds like you want a fish.

ca1ore · 10/08/2017, 06:17 PM

Bristles aren't particularly good GHA eaters. My zebrasomas all eat it, as does my zebra tang (regular convict is good too). None of them will touch bryopsis though.

vinman · 10/08/2017, 07:20 PM

Lawnmower Blenny? Wouldn't be a centerpiece fish but would do the job i presume.

AZReef13 · 10/08/2017, 07:33 PM

The Court jester gobies; Koumansetta rainfordi, are also know to eat hair algae

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Bristles aren't particularly good GHA eaters. My zebrasomas all eat it, as does my zebra tang (regular convict is good too). None of them will touch bryopsis though.

How do you like the zebra? I mentioned convict before, but I really meant zebra.

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Awesome stocklist. I understand why you would want to keep it peaceful, and you would be sick if something happened to that butterfly or those angels.

I like the magnificent foxface. Several big, Mexican turbo snails would probably help too, although it sounds like you want a fish.

Thanks. The magnificent foxface is on the short list, for sure.

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZReef13

The Court jester gobies; Koumansetta rainfordi, are also know to eat hair algae

Interesting, thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinman

Lawnmower Blenny? Wouldn't be a centerpiece fish but would do the job i presume.

I'm afraid it might fight with my starry blenny. I've had one before, though. His name was Lenny, and he went carpet surfing a few years ago. Nice fish. In fact, I wrote a limerick about him after it happened. *Ahem*

There once was a blenny named Lenny
His accomplishments weren't very many
But he made me smile
Every once in a while
Until he carpet surfed at 4:20

karimwassef · 10/08/2017, 08:12 PM

real rabbitfish (double bar) - ravenous consumer of anything algae based

ca1ore · 10/08/2017, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HippieSmell

How do you like the zebra? I mentioned convict before, but I really meant zebra.

Behaves just like the regular convict, just a few extra stripes and a lot more $$$

. I personally think it is a very cool fish and worth the extra coin.

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karimwassef

real rabbitfish (double bar) - ravenous consumer of anything algae based

Thanks. Gets up to 11"? Yikes. Are they not very active swimmers?

karimwassef · 10/08/2017, 10:26 PM

not in captivity they don't.

mine is in an 8' tank and doing fine.

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Behaves just like the regular convict, just a few extra stripes and a lot more $$$

. I personally think it is a very cool fish and worth the extra coin.

Yeah, those extra stripes are at a premium. I'm not really familiar with regular convicts, either. I feel bad keeping schooling fish as singles, so I'm not sure if I'd get just one, and at that price...not so sure.

ca1ore · 10/08/2017, 10:35 PM

I think groups of tangs in our tanks are problematic. I only ever keep one of each species (up to 10 at last count).

HippieSmell · 10/08/2017, 11:21 PM

Will foxfaces eat algae off the glass? Or, in my case, acrylic? Can their teeth scratch acrylic?

alton · 10/09/2017, 04:59 AM

The best fish is the Hawaiian Chevron Tang. Eats algae from rocks and glass. Look awesome as a juvy, blaw as a sub adult, but then neat as an adult.

karimwassef · 10/09/2017, 08:12 AM

Rabbitfish mouths are designed to consume all kinds of vegetable matter - they are indiscriminate and constantly ravenous. Multiple scientific studies point to their critical ecological role in removing algae and recycling nutrients.

HippieSmell · 10/09/2017, 12:26 PM

Well, I just purchased a Magnificent Foxface from Diver's Den. It seemed like the best option for me, even though I had reservations about the size and venemous spines.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

10/08/2017, 12:00 PM	#1
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	Fish guaranteed to eat hair algae I need a recommendation for a fish that's guaranteed to eat hair algae, peaceful but not prone to being bullied, and can comfortably thrive in a 320 gallon tank. Bonus points if it is a centerpiece fish, as this is likely the last large fish I add to this tank. Thanks! __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

10/08/2017, 01:05 PM	#3
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	Thanks. I'm not looking for nutrient control suggestions, just fish. Not trying to be rude, I just want it focused on fish. __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

10/08/2017, 04:38 PM	#6
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	I've been contemplating a white tail bristletooth, a multibar angelfish, and a magnificent foxface. I've read bristletooth can become aggressive, I'm not sure how effective a multibar would be, and I'm a little concerned with how large foxfaces can become. I also eyed a convict tang, but they're pricy on diver's den and kind of plain looking. I also don't know if my tank is really large enough. Don't get hung up on "guaranteed". A 9/10 probability is fine. __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

10/08/2017, 05:11 PM	#7
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	I think any Zebrasoma so would be much more likely to eat hair algae than any Ctenochaetus (bristetooth) tang. How about a yellow, purple or scopus? What is your current fish list? __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

10/08/2017, 06:12 PM	#9
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Awesome stocklist. I understand why you would want to keep it peaceful, and you would be sick if something happened to that butterfly or those angels. I like the magnificent foxface. Several big, Mexican turbo snails would probably help too, although it sounds like you want a fish. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

10/08/2017, 12:13 PM	#2
Lincoln 993 Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico, USA Posts: 14	Guarantee is a hard word... I've heard that Foxface eat hair algae. My biggest success was with using an Algae Scrubber (not the rough pad, but the DIY thing). Grow the hair algae in another place and then use it as fertilizer for my plants. People have good luck with refugiums too. The best way to deal with HA is nutrient control, and since I don't like doing water changes, I just trick the algae into growing somewhere else since in most cases I'm smarter than algae lol. Good luck!

10/08/2017, 01:22 PM	#4
ReefTeacher Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis MO Posts: 358	Most of the angels I have had will nibble on it in some amount. Unfortunately, they may also nibble on other things!

10/08/2017, 01:41 PM	#5
Gweeds Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 178	There is no such thing as a fish that's 'guaranteed' to eat GHA... that's like saying every human is guaranteed to like broccoli... just doesn't happen. There are those fish MORE likely than not to eat it, including bristletooth tangs, foxfaces, algae blennies, dwarf angels and some damsels. That's not a definitive list obvs, add to that a plethora of inverts that'll eat it, like Mexican turbos, seahares, some urchins and mithrax crabs... If what you're after is a 'guaranteed' way to remove GHA, that my friend, is elbow grease and nutrient export, not fish. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

10/08/2017, 06:17 PM	#10
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Bristles aren't particularly good GHA eaters. My zebrasomas all eat it, as does my zebra tang (regular convict is good too). None of them will touch bryopsis though. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

10/08/2017, 07:20 PM	#11
vinman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance, Ca Posts: 316	Lawnmower Blenny? Wouldn't be a centerpiece fish but would do the job i presume.

10/08/2017, 07:33 PM	#12
AZReef13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 277	The Court jester gobies; Koumansetta rainfordi, are also know to eat hair algae

10/08/2017, 08:12 PM	#16
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	real rabbitfish (double bar) - ravenous consumer of anything algae based __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

10/08/2017, 10:26 PM	#19
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	not in captivity they don't. mine is in an 8' tank and doing fine. __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

10/08/2017, 10:35 PM	#21
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I think groups of tangs in our tanks are problematic. I only ever keep one of each species (up to 10 at last count). __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

10/08/2017, 11:21 PM	#22
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	Will foxfaces eat algae off the glass? Or, in my case, acrylic? Can their teeth scratch acrylic? __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

10/09/2017, 04:59 AM	#23
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	The best fish is the Hawaiian Chevron Tang. Eats algae from rocks and glass. Look awesome as a juvy, blaw as a sub adult, but then neat as an adult.

10/09/2017, 08:12 AM	#24
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	Rabbitfish mouths are designed to consume all kinds of vegetable matter - they are indiscriminate and constantly ravenous. Multiple scientific studies point to their critical ecological role in removing algae and recycling nutrients. __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

10/09/2017, 12:26 PM	#25
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	Well, I just purchased a Magnificent Foxface from Diver's Den. It seemed like the best option for me, even though I had reservations about the size and venemous spines. Thanks for the help, everyone! __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380