Scribbled Rabbitfish in a Reef?

[Vegas_ReefMan]

Can I add a Scribbled Rabbitfish to a 225 reef that is stuffed with LPS, soft corals and gorgonians? I have a hair algae problem, and have ordered a Starry Blenny to assist, and figured that a Scribbled Rabbitfish would do an even better job than the Starry Blenny. Please advise, as to whether or not you think a Scribbled Rabbitfish will eat my reef. Thanks again Reefers!

 

[Rob Martin]

Hi,
I bought a Masked Rabbitfish for a hair algae problem & he's never touched the stuff,hair algae in my tank was Derbesia not Bryopsis.He's also been nipping at some yellow zoa polyps i added recently,so IME, i wouldn't buy another.....I just concentrated on getting nutrients down & manual cleaning to get on top of the algae.
Rob.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

some people tell of them truning to eat polyps, so not 100% safe, but a fair chance at good luck, I would say.

 

[Vegas_ReefMan]

Damn Rob, thanks for the info... That is not good... I may not get one now... Where did you find a list of hair algaes, so you can tell which type you have? Thanks

 

[Rob Martin]

There was an article in the online Reefkeeping Magazine,can't remember the authors name now,but i found it here on RC,it listed most types of nuisance algae,very informative,tells you how each reproduces etc,someone else may be able to supply the link.Good luck.....
Rob.

 

[Rob Martin]

Vegas_Reefman,
The authors name is Horge here on RC,check out the "Marine plants & macroalgae" forum.
Rob

 

[Vegas_ReefMan]

Sweet.... Thanks Rob

 

[Sk8r]

I had one that turned to frogspawn, and preferred caulerpa. Trying to keep him alive [and off my corals!] I added caulerpa to the tank, which created a phosphate problem, I'm suspecting. What I used now is tripneustes gracillis, the 'hairy colored pincushion urchin' offered by Foster Smith. It's far easier to catch and non-venomous. Very rarely dislodges something: putty is your friend with this fellow at work, all the same, but he does a down-to-bare-rock job and works day and night. Mine is about 4" across and he manages to maneuver in a coral-crowded 52gal.

 

[SVXH6]

i had one in my reef.. doesnt bother any corals except for zoa's..he loves em, so i cant have em..awesome algae eater, and is a slob at feeding time.. my orange spot rabbit that i have rite now is the same way, doesnt bother any corals except for zoa's..

 

[Vegas_ReefMan]

Thanks for the info... But i love my zoas that would be a BIG problem! Thanks for the help!

 

[fishermania]

I hav eone in my tank and never touvhs corals, but I don't have any zoos. He eats about any algae as long you don't feed to much nori.