Lawn Mower blenny??
- Thread starter ReeferChick85
- Start date
aquariumclown
New member
Blennies are the most adorable things. I had a bi-color for many years, i've even performed semi surgery on him once, long story, but he was a good patient. He died many years after the incident, I miss that little dude.
Last edited:
waterman78
Active member
ReeferChick85:
A few questions:
What size tank are we talking about?
How long has the tank been set up?
What makes up your current bio-load/stocking of the set up?
Fast forward thinking: My opinion... *2 pennies*
It sounds like you're on the right track of limiting a few things here and there. GREAT.
In your case, you have started running phosphate media. GREAT.
And you're checking your water parameters...AWESOME.
Suggestion: Research the web and first identify the algae, find out what makes it thrive and cut off it's food source.
My Experince: In the past I have had hair algae blooms but that may have something to do with the 9 fish in my 24 gallon nanocube.
Here's what I did: Manually remove the larger patches of hair algae run both carbon and phosphate media...water changes...photo period shortages...feeding control...increased waterflow...eliminated 5 fish and purchased 5 - 6 turbo snails to rid my 24 nano of the rest. I agree with aquariumclown 100%.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progess.
A few questions:
What size tank are we talking about?
How long has the tank been set up?
What makes up your current bio-load/stocking of the set up?
Fast forward thinking: My opinion... *2 pennies*
It sounds like you're on the right track of limiting a few things here and there. GREAT.
In your case, you have started running phosphate media. GREAT.
And you're checking your water parameters...AWESOME.
Suggestion: Research the web and first identify the algae, find out what makes it thrive and cut off it's food source.
My Experince: In the past I have had hair algae blooms but that may have something to do with the 9 fish in my 24 gallon nanocube.
Here's what I did: Manually remove the larger patches of hair algae run both carbon and phosphate media...water changes...photo period shortages...feeding control...increased waterflow...eliminated 5 fish and purchased 5 - 6 turbo snails to rid my 24 nano of the rest. I agree with aquariumclown 100%.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progess.
What a terrible name for a fish that doesn't mow down anything. Lets petition to start calling it the bump on a log blenny.
Blennies and Gobies top of the list as cool. Me? Not so much.
Davocean and Itindle I'm not a reef geek. Just a geek
Reef chick. If it's not out of control but under control it shouldn't be too big of a deal to have some in there. One guy I always chat with just said something very previlent. He thinks people keep their tanks too sterile. The oceans not sterile. I peed in I yesterday.
Blennies and Gobies top of the list as cool. Me? Not so much.
Davocean and Itindle I'm not a reef geek. Just a geek
Reef chick. If it's not out of control but under control it shouldn't be too big of a deal to have some in there. One guy I always chat with just said something very previlent. He thinks people keep their tanks too sterile. The oceans not sterile. I peed in I yesterday.
banditpowdercoat
New member
The other common name is Jeweled Rockskipper blenny, or just Jeweled Blenny
ReeferChick85
New member
Thank you for this!
Tank:24G AP
Setup: Over a year and a half
Bioload/Stocking: Sixline Wrasse,Yellow Coris Wrasse,Green/blue chromis,Cleaner shrimp,2 snails,some hermit crabs,nassarius snails and the typical bristle worms and serpent stars that live in the live rock.
Corals: Mainly LPS,some palys/zoas,and a couple softies.
I have never had an issue with hairy algae before up until a few months ago. I was even feeding twice a day and no outbreak like this. I know it had something to do with the water I used during a water change I did but after I realized that I did another water change. Made sure the TDS read 0 and all that other good stuff. The membranes were even changed.I even tried using a different salt mix just to see if it made a difference. So after numerous water changes and trying things out,my problem is still here
I don't feed my fish or coral as much either even tho they look hungry I have actually tried manually removing the hairy algae from the back wall when I do my water change by using a scraper and having the tube siphon it out right away to try to avoid it from spreading but no luck. It came back.
I have researched soo much on the web for the type of algae I have and from what I've read it's all nutrient based. I know I have hairy green algae for sure,some brown hairy algae,i think bryopsis too,red and green bubble algae. I will post some pics of what I have. Maybe someone can see if I labeled them right. Sorry pics were taken with a camera phone so the quality isn't all that
This stuff looks more stringy/leafy...bryopsis?
Red and green hairy stuff on this frag plug plus on the side of my scoly skeleton as well. It's a lot shorter as far as in the length.
This thing grew suddenly.This is the only one I have of this in my tank
ReeferChick85
New member
Thank you all for your responses! I really appreciate it! I'm still debating on the lawnmower blenny.
AquariumClown and Waterman78, thanks for the info! I'm going to get some astreas and turbos to add to my tank.
Oh and ddinox64,I think my algae problem is a little too much for my tank lol! It's not a pleasant site. A little is ok with me but not what I have. LOL my tank is far from being sterile thats for sure! My corals actually thrive in it
But nonetheless,thank you everyone for your responses
AquariumClown and Waterman78, thanks for the info! I'm going to get some astreas and turbos to add to my tank.
Oh and ddinox64,I think my algae problem is a little too much for my tank lol! It's not a pleasant site. A little is ok with me but not what I have. LOL my tank is far from being sterile thats for sure! My corals actually thrive in it
But nonetheless,thank you everyone for your responses
ReeferChick85
New member
Yea it seems like it's a hit or miss with blennies and GHA
I didn't know you could feed FW food to SW fish? Interesting.
Update on my algae issue: Well it looks like it isn't growing anymore by the looks of things (fingers crossed). I haven't noticed any new patches pop up. Hopefully what I've done so far has stopped the growth or at least slowed it down. I dont know,we'll see.
I didn't know you could feed FW food to SW fish? Interesting.
Update on my algae issue: Well it looks like it isn't growing anymore by the looks of things (fingers crossed). I haven't noticed any new patches pop up. Hopefully what I've done so far has stopped the growth or at least slowed it down. I dont know,we'll see.
jimmy n
Active member
It's difficult to see from the pictures, but does the top of the algae have little air bubles in it? If it is, you may be dealing with dino instead. Those picture look brown, like dino's.
In any case, mainly the same treatment. Remove what you can and keep nutrients low. There is some debatee over the benefit of raising your mag to supernormal levels ie 1500-1600 to help remove them.
I had dinos and just changed my ro/di.
Jim
In any case, mainly the same treatment. Remove what you can and keep nutrients low. There is some debatee over the benefit of raising your mag to supernormal levels ie 1500-1600 to help remove them.
I had dinos and just changed my ro/di.
Jim
ReeferChick85
New member
Yea sorry the pics were taken with a camera phone but it's green for sure but the one on the frag plug pic is kinda brownish green. It definitely doesn't look like the same algae that's on my back wall. I don't know what type that is actually.I couldn't id but i'll look into that dino algae. I will also check if there are air bubbles when my lights turn on.
I read up on the magnesium thing but haven't tried it. I don't think I'll go that route for the time being. Thank you for your response and I'll research on that dino algae
waterman78
Active member
Okay ReeferChick85:
I wish was able to copy and paste what I found here on RC but...you know it is. I got off work, ate a small bite of food and became so tired. Anyways, I was searching through the Reef Chemistry forum here on RC and found an article on Hair Algae. Give it a glance and see if it fits...job well done if it does and back to the drawing board if it doesn't. I'm sure that everyone here on this blog/forum would like to provide you with the best information known about the subject. Good luck and please do keep us all posted.
I wish was able to copy and paste what I found here on RC but...you know it is. I got off work, ate a small bite of food and became so tired. Anyways, I was searching through the Reef Chemistry forum here on RC and found an article on Hair Algae. Give it a glance and see if it fits...job well done if it does and back to the drawing board if it doesn't. I'm sure that everyone here on this blog/forum would like to provide you with the best information known about the subject. Good luck and please do keep us all posted.
waterman78
Active member
Immediate action would be to shut down the pumps...and scrape off the hair algae manually. Then, check out the Reef Chemistry link.
ReeferChick85
New member
Was it a specific thread you're talking about?I didn't see it but i'd love too! I actually found a lot of other threads about it and I got a lot of useful info! I read sooo much on all types of macro algae and which are pests and actually was able to identify some of the algae I couldn't i.d before. I'm going to do some manual removal tonight off of the back wall and then do a water change. It doesn't seem to be growing anymore, i think,so we'll see sooner than later
BTW, thanks for your response!
