Foxface .vs. Kole Tang - Which is better for me?

[jimrawr]

So I have a 92g corner tank, with these inhabitants. The tank is sumpless with no refugium either.

Midas Blenny
Red Margin Wrasse
3 Chromis
Spotted Mandarin
B&W Clown
Purple Firefish

I do have a bit of a green hair algae problem, so I am looking at getting one of these guys to help me get it in check. I dont really want to add much to the bioload, but at the same time I want to make sure the fish is eating the GHA.

 

[jimrawr]

Oh yeah and the LiveAquaria website lists the compatibility of the Foxface and Mandarin as "CAUTION". How come?

edit: nevermind no it doesnt, misread that

 

[pinnatus]

I personally do not care for a foxface. It is a venomous fish, and easily excitable, which is a bad combination when I have my hands in the tank, IMO. Also, they grow fast and large, and will likely outgrow your tank. Plus, if you get a fish because it eats algae rather than because you like it, then when the algae is gone, will you still want the fish? (I am currently having all of the above issues with my rabbitfish, and can't seem to catch it to get it out of my tank)

 

[jimrawr]

Definitely dont have a problem keeping him after the algae is gone. He would make a nice addition, I just like to try and keep my bioload down so thats my concern more than anything

 

[Wolverine]

IME, foxfaces are much more effective at controlling algae like that.

 

[Wolverine]

A quick caution on what I just said, I've seen some foxfaces (including the last one I had) lose their taste for certain algaes after a while in a tank. They just stop eating one type, but will still eat everything else.

 

[jimrawr]

Ive been thinking maybe the better route is to buy a GFO/Carbon reactor, so I did that tonight. If this doesnt work to keep algae down then I will probably go with a foxface.. thanks for the help

 

[Korrine]

keep in mind that algae is coming from something in your tank and depending on how long it's been like that it could continue to leach from your rock for awhile(since rock can absorb it). you may not see results w/the reactor right away. May need to change GFO more frequently in the beginning too.

 

[marcin11379]

foxface