Urchin and Tang

[gribsrule]

I did my due diligence searching everywhere but can not seem to find a straight answer.

I have a beautiful fire urchin that I added to help control a slight algae outbreak. Has been helping but can not keep up with it. I have been able to slow down the growth by limiting light and feeding less but it still persists. Nutrients are undetectable but I know they are there, hence the algae growth.

My question is if I add something like a kole tang to help, will the tang outcompete the urchin causing it to starve?

FYI it is a well established 75 gallon sps dominated system and the urchin is far more important for me to keep as it is quite rare and unbelievably gorgeous.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Now you know you have to post a picture of this beauty! I would add a lawnmower blenny instead of a tang.

 

[gribsrule]

Bad picture but the blue dots literally glow bright metallic blue in any kind of light.

Had a Lawnmower blenny and he ate nothing but mysis and occasionally some film algae.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

See if you can take a picture without the blue lights. I think its a cool looking creature but urchins aren't for me. I like my coral frags and anything else I put in my tank to stay put. LOL

 

[Iduhno]

I can't say for sure but I have 1 purple tuxedo urchin with a Tomini Tang that have been together for 8 months and both are doing great. I also have a bunch of snails and an abalone for algae control. This is in a 100 gallon tank. I don't clean the back wall to allow algae to grow. Hopefully this helps.

 

[Nina51]

if your tank is well established, it's highly unlikely that the addition of 1 tang will have any impact on your urchin. i have a kole tang and 2 urchins in my 75g reef and the urchins get plenty to eat from the glass and rocks.