Gold Spotted Rabbitfish - Reef Safe? Hair Algae Eater?

[Vegas_ReefMan]

Is a Gold Spotted Rabbitfish reef-safe? I have a coral with tons of LPS and Zoas, I just want to make sure that he will not eat them. I have a hair algae outbreak and the Starry Eye Blenny that I purchased does nothing for the problem. I have reduced the amount of nitrates and phosphates in the water, and increased flow. I just need a fish that will mow down hair algae, not eat corals, and be peaceful at the same time. Do they all look as nice as the one in this link's picture http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=01-2516-10 which shows a blue colored fish, with gold dots? As I thought I saw some that were not nearly as blue and did not look that nice. Thanks again reefers! :bum:

 

[The Fish Finder]

yes there reef safe

 

[Vegas_ReefMan]

I heard that they like to eat zoas? Is this true?

 

[Ocicat]

My LFS had two, and they were quite beautiful, but they were not as striking as the one in that photo. Their colors were not as vivid. The background color was more gray than blue.

 

[verde_ad]

rabbitfish change colors, so sometimes they might look nice and at other times they may look bad. I would guess that pictures is as good as they will ever look.

 

[dippin61]

sailfin tang if your tank isnt full..

mine is dessimating my HA problem.

 

[Amphiprion]

Actually, this species' diet is composed primarily (>50%) of sponges, followed by filamentous and macroalgae and the associated benthic organisms. I would be sure the tank is mature and has ample grazing opportunities for both sponges and algae

 

[Vegas_ReefMan]

I cant have him then, I have a ton of sponges...

 

[Vegas_ReefMan]

People who have one, please let me know if any of you keep them with sponges... As I want to know if the rabbitfish will eat my sponges as Amphiprion said... Thanks again!

 

[Jens Kallmeyer]

HI

I had one, ate and s*it like a pig and grew so fast you could watch it. From ca. 4 inches to a good 8 inches in about 8 months. It ate all kind of algae, but also all sponges incl. the nasty blue grey one. Unfortunately it also nibbled the mantle of my clam, xenias and Gorgonians. I fed Nori algae and fresh greens every day, still it went after the corals. Finally I moved the fish into a 350 gal FO tank.
IME this fish is not reef-safe, first because of its appetite, second because of its rapid growth and final size. It reached 8" in my 140 gal (just 4' long) and the last time I saw it is was almost a foot long. On the plus side I must say that these fishes are absolutely peaceful, even to the smallest fishes

Jens

 

[Vegas_ReefMan]

Jens thanks, I am NOT GETTING A RABBIT NOW!