Best Algae Grazers for 75-Gal. and How Many?

[SkyReef]

In a different thread, I was encouraged not to have a yellow tang, a blue tang, or a powder-brown tang in my 75-gallon tank because a 75-gallon tank is considered by experts to be too small for them. A reference link was posted: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1946079.

According to the table published there, the only tangs that are advised for a 75-gallon tank are the following:

1. Mimic Surgeonfish;
2. Indian Mimic Sureon Fish;
3. Striated Bristletooth Tang;
4. Kole's Tang;
5. Tomini Tang; and
6. Brown Tang.

So if I return my three tangs (a yellow, a powder-brown, and a blue) to the LFS, what fish could best be obtained, with the criteria that they be good nuisance-algae grazers. This question is asked about any fish--be they tangfish or otherwise. I'm trying to get a good team of nuisance-algae grazers, so how many and in what combination would you recommend for a 75-gallon, reef aquarium?


Thank you.

 

[Ira]

I get pretty good alge control from my snails (astera and margarita) and emerald crabs.

 

[Rea17]

I think one of the bristletooth tangs would be a good choice, with the exception of a chevron. Tomini, kole, and two spot are pretty, reasonably priced, and not difficult to find. The tank is borderline for a yellow tang (if he's the only surgeon). As time goes on, you might find him too aggressive in this tank size, even if he has enough "swimming room."

I want to commend you for thinking if what is best for the fish here. The powder brown and hippo aren't suited for a tank this size. Inches per gallon isn't really pertinent in saltwater the way it is with fresh. The two clowns, a smaller tang, and a few other small-mid sized fish would be perfectly acceptable. Maybe a wrasse and a dwarf angel?

 

[Marshall O]

A smaller bristletooth should do well in a 75. You already mentioned a few in your list. But only do one from that genus. Otherwise, a One Spot Foxface may work as well. They stay smaller than the other Foxfaces and are not big swimmers so a 75 should be fine for one. There is a chance it could nip at corals though. But I would do one or the other, not both. And finally, look into herbivore Blennies. Starry or Lawnmower Blennies do a great job with hair algae.

 

[Kies1]

I have a one spot fox face and square tail bristle tooth tang in my 90. Both are doing wonderful.

 

[Rilelen]

I can second the blennies...mine does a great job, and is a very cool and inquisitive fish to boot. If you have hard corals though, I'd stick with the starry or lawnmower blennies...my little tribal blenny occasionally casts a wandering eye (and mouth) on the couple pieces of LPS I have...

 

[SkyReef]

Thanks, all!

 

[chipchip]

I have a tomini tang in my tank but he is not a a very good Algae Grazer. But maybe its just this one.

 

[Bernie21]

Any bristletooth tang, a smaller foxface &/or lawnmower type blenny! All great grazers and hardworkers!

 

[Reef264]

I had a Spotted Kole Tang in my system for 5 years and it never hardly ever stopped grazing on the rocks and glass.Ozone accident killed him.

-Ray