Ctenochaetus Tang - Best Algea Eater?

[i2ik]

I am looking on adding a ctenocheatus tang to have an eye on the algea and would like to know what is the best algea eater. I know that foxface also eat lots of algea but i am into tangs. Let me know what worked the best for you! I heard good things about the Kole tang being a really good choice for an algea eater.

I just saw some Grape caulerpa algea in my tank and would like to find a fish to take care of it instead of pulling them all manually.

Thanks!

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

The few bristletooths tangs I have kept ignored most all of the algae I had in my tanks except diatoms and other film type algae. I never had one eat any kind of caulerpa. A rabbitfish would be a far better choice for getting rid of caulerpa IMO.

 

[i2ik]

does your rabbitfish take care of the algea in your tank? like caulerpa?

I remember having in my old tank a siganus virgatus and he was not even grazing on the rocks, only eat frozen food i gave and pellets.

 

[wayne in norway]

Yes mine will eat anything green. My kole has never eaten caulerpa, just microfilm algae.

 

[hatfielj]

My tomini is more interested in eating the other tangs poop than algae. However, it does graze on the small filamentous algae from time to time.
The best overall algae eaters IME are any of the zebrasoma's. They are very good at clearing a tank of nusaince algae.

 

[i2ik]

Thanks hatfielj! what kind of algea your zebrasoma took care of?

 

[AquaKnight]

My Dad's had a bunch of caulerpa (grape and feather) in his tank, on purpose for display, and his yellow tang wiped all of it out. I also feed my yellow clippings from my fuge and he devours them.

 

[i2ik]

thats really nice! is it a hit or miss with those zebrasoma? some will eat, others might not or its more likely to eat those algea? Was your dad Yellow tang a captive one or not? How big was he?

 

[AquaKnight]

My Dad's is around 4" and mine is 2.5". I doubt think yellows are captive bred yet?

 

[Cheesy_Puffs]

Our red sea sailfin ate caulerpa. In fact we used to buy alot of it so our fish can munch on it between feedings.

 

[sunfish11]

My acantharus tangs do a good job as does my Naso.

 

[i2ik]

looks like i will go to the LFS with some caulerpa and see which fish is going to eat it... thats the one i will get

 

[hatfielj]

Zebrasomas are especially good with green hair algae IME. They will take care of it very quickly. As far as caluerpa goes, I'm not sure, I've never had any problems with that.