Algae eating fish suggestions needed for agressive FOWLR

[Doubledown]

I have a 180 FOWLR that houses:

pair of Crosshatch Triggers
Porcupine puffer
Metallic Slimline grouper

I need a fish that will eat algae (can't keep hermits, urchins or snails because the puffer eats them). I will probably break down and get a Foxface - I've been fighting getting one for some time now as I just don't care for the fishes appearance.

I would be glad to try a nice big tang, but really what would be better, the tang (yellow, Sailfin) or the foxface (Lo, Magnificent)?

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Chris

 

[bblumberg]

Does it have to be a fish? I had little success with tangs or hermit crabs to get rid of algae, but Emerald crabs did the trick very well.

 

[Sullyman]

I've always liked these
http://www.redang.org/gallery/uw_rabbit_1004.jpg

 

[Doubledown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8689581#post8689581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bblumberg
Does it have to be a fish? I had little success with tangs or hermit crabs to get rid of algae, but Emerald crabs did the trick very well.

Yes, it has to be a fish. Any inverts I put in - crabs, snails, urchins seahares, etc. - will be eaten by the puffer.


Sullyman- I had one of those once, was a neat fish. If I could find one large enough (5" - 7") I would consider another one.

Thanks all.

 

[whiirly]

Go with the yellow it will be a nice contrast to the fish you already have in there and you can get a big one without breaking the bank

 

[Doubledown]

Joe - you still got that big Foxface?

 

[blackdak]

what about the other rabbitfish. I dont care for fox face rabbits either, but some (like the one already suggested) are pretty neat. like the so-called scribbled rabbitfish. I have known a few folks back in Salt Lake City that had them, albeit in reef tanks.

 

[rockdiver]

I have 2 of those rabbitfish great guys had them over 2.5 years now the eat and do a good job stirring the sand bed also.
these are mine

 

[rockdiver]

better pic here
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2861098180000597218uRxpWD

 

[craftytony]

Double Dizzle....i think you should give the foxface lo a chance....if after awhile you can't stand the look you can always trap him and sell or give away....they are inexpensive and eat up algea like it's goin outta style!
I for one love the foxface lo with the black circle in the back plus the fact that they are venemous makes them that much cooler

When i was at Rod's the other day he had 3 I believe...
matt at shotank has a few also...

 

[Doubledown]

I have kept both the Orange-Spot and the Scribbled Rabbits, but I really never saw them eat the algaes off the rocks and I was always scared to put my hands into the tank for cleaning. Maybe they were too small? I'll look into those as well.

Would a Foxface/Rabbit be a better choice than a tang? I guess I could put one of each in the tank.

Thanks for the input.

 

[craftytony]

Scared? I wouldn't be...unless you are allergic to bee stings. Then be very afraid Mine eats from my hand (rod's food) and swims around my arms all the time...but as far as algea eating goes, i had a HUGE issue with it awhile back and once i put in the foxface lo it was gone within a couple days...and i had some hair algea that was like over 3 inches long.....you might as well give it a try, it seems like you've tried others so maybe this will be your lucky fish

 

[whiirly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8692630#post8692630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doubledown
Joe - you still got that big Foxface?

Nope you should of got him when you had the chance

 

[Doubledown]

I'll look around tonight, if I can't find one at my usual fish store (Rod's my coral guy) then I'll travel out there this Saturday for the fish and take in the show.

 

[Doubledown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8693424#post8693424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by whiirly
Nope you should of got him when you had the chance

I didn't know I wanted him then

 

[whiirly]

no I believe you said you DID NOT want him then
I would still go with a big yellow as they are better looking fish IMO

 

[Doubledown]

Actually, that is more accurate - I did NOT want him then. Desperation and limited choices have opened my standards a little.

I will look this evening, it will probably depend on which fish I can find in a large size. To small a tang and I fear the grouper might eat him (grouper is 9"). I don't think he would try to eat a foxface though.

 

[rockdiver]

My rabbits eat like total pigs everything and my tang hardly eats off the rocks but they are small ones yet

 

[willjeff]

My yellow mimic tang is constantly eating algae, on the other hand my foxface which was bought to eat algae doesn't touch a thing.

 

[Doubledown]

I decided on a Majestic Foxface. Found one around 6". Chose that one over the Fiji Foxface, lesser of 2 uglies I guess. I really hope he eats this algae - otherwise it will be difficult getting him out of the tank.