They can be a wonderful addition to every reef tank. I’ll … AquaticStories.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. How about sea urchins . They are helpful in the removal of algae and preventing its overgrowth. Best Algae Eating Snails While snails are not the greatest algae eaters available in the fish keeping hobby, they are still a great choice. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Add natural algae eating critters. Learn more. The true fact is that most every good saltwater snail or crab has a preferred algae or aquarium problem. The ETS skimmer is a simple design that became popular in the mid-2000s. For example; the cyanobacteria types, such as red slime algae, enjoy the low currents whereas the hair or filamentous species tend to prefer the higher currents. If you have brown algae, you need to increase the amount of light in your tank wherehas if you have green algae, you will want to decrease the light. These fish are herbivores, and they need a consistent diet of algae. In terms of temperament, they have a peaceful character. However, it’s necessary to supplement their diet with vegetables and spirulina. They are herbivores and do great in well-established aquariums. If you are looking for a great algae grazer than you might include several snails in your clean up crew. Amano shrimp are the best algae-eating shrimp species. Many aquarists use it to clean algae because it has a It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. These include the following: You can remove any extra algae by hand if you prefer, but it may be harder than using a critter to do it. Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab (Clibanarius sp.) Seriously, it is the easiest and coolest way to help maintain your tank and keep your fish healthy.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tinyunderwater_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_13',107,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tinyunderwater_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_14',107,'0','1'])); Hermit crabs that are reef safe are great for saltwater aquariums. I just want to collate a list of algae eating fishes suitable for a nano-reef about 30 gallons.. They tend to graze a … Another popular choice of algae eater is the Emerald Crab ( Mithraculus sculptus). If algae eaters aren’t going to work for you, you will also find extensive information on other options for algae removal. They need diatoms and microalgae to live as it is their only diet. They are also herbivores, so they generally spend most of their time eating algae of all kinds. If you have an algae problem, there may be a few possible reasons behind this. Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilos aymonieri) Another great choice for those looking for an easy to care for algae eater should consider the Chinese Algae Eater, a fantastic freshwater tank cleaning fish. Can lawnmower Bennie get too old to eat algae? One of the common freshwater fish as a good algae eater is the Common Pleco. Well, it is a device you put in the water that “skims” out the bad stuff and keeps the good stuff. These fish prefer marine algae along with frozen formulas that have spirulina or algae. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Yellow tang: Yellow tangs are very popular fish that are kept in saltwater aquariums. There are many types of saltwater algae eaters, all with different abilities. You need to take proper care of your aquarium to reduce the growth of algae inside of it. When this happens, the water has to through the bubblers, or “counter” them as they rise. These end up getting the water smashed between the bio-ball for multiple times. Does your lighting need to be adjusted? They will frequently graze on live rocks looking to eat algae. Of the common snail varieties, Ramshorn Snails are the best looking and best algae eaters. They can get back up if they get knocked over, unlike most snails. It spends its days plowing through algae and eating it.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tinyunderwater_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',113,'0','0'])); Seaweed blennies: Seaweed blennies tend to eat microalgae and can help keep its population down. Pacific blue tang: Dory from Finding Nemo the movie was based on the pacific blue tangs, which are a little different than other tangs. Orange shoulder tang: Orange shoulder tang fish are omnivores that eat filamentous algae, detritus off of sand bottom substrates, and diatoms. So only get these if they are in a larger tank with a lot of algae that can grow back easily. They enjoy grazing on algae in larger tanks, but they can damage any coral that is in your tank. They are opportunistic feeders and if they don’t have enough food in the tank might get into corals. These best freshwater algae eaters are some of the absolute best fish that clean their own tank in the freshwater fish realm. We have one and it just cleans the glass every now and then. They tend to graze a lot and prefer vegetables to meat. License: CC-BY – Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ciliopagurus_strigatus.jpg. Your email address will not be published. It is aggressive against its species but will not bother any of the other creatures sharing the tank with it. As the name of this fish suggests, it is best known for eating algae. This froth is rich in proteins and gets left in the cup. Keep an eye on the quality of the water in your aquarium if you go this route. They have peaceful character but be aware, can be aggressive towards fish from the same kind. However, they have venomous dorsal spines, so you’ll need to be careful with these species. There are many types of algae eating snails, in different sizes, all with different abilities for cleaning algae. Perhaps we have discussed this topic before. Counter-current skimming is when they double the “dwell time,” or the length of time the water and bubbles are in contact in the tube. Kole Tang 1.5 5.Sailfin Tang 2 Saltwater Snails for Algae Control 2.1 1.Astraea Turbo Snails 2.2 2.Turban Snails 3 They eat all different kinds of algae and detritus as their main diet. License: CC-BY-SA – Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calcinus_elegans_01.jpg. Yellow tang: Yellow tangs are very popular fish that are kept in saltwater aquariums. They will eat the algae in your reef tank, but if you want to see them thrive, be sure to include meaty foods in their diet. They are a must-have specimen in almost every clean up crew. They are active fish and prefer longer tanks with more swimming area. They are known for their ability to keep your live rock and glass algae free. Sailfin blenny: The sailfin blenny has the nickname of lawnmower blenny, because of how it devours green hair algae and it does it quickly. Zebra turbo snail: The zebra turbo snail only grows up to two inches, and they need microalgae and diatom to live.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tinyunderwater_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',112,'0','0'])); Mexican turbo snail: Mexican turbo snails are the largest snails on this list, growing up to six inches. This impeller chops at the water and air mixture and sends it into the skimmer. Are Jellyfish Immortal? Kole tang: Kole tang fish likes to spend its time eating all different kinds of algae. Whichever you choose, they’ll do a good job more or less. What is a protein skimmer, you ask? They will chew up any hair algae in the aquarium and will happily eat most macro algae. For example, the skimmers work by producing microscopic bubbles that contain the excess nutrients, and when they go into the collection cup, they burst, and you can see everything that they cleaned out. The Tomini Tang is one of the smallest tangs in the aquarium hobby. It prefers to stay away from its kind, and it needs a lot of room to move but also prefers to hide behind cover as well. This post may contain affiliate links. Algae come in many forms and is a natural occurrence in every reef tank. You can usually spot them constantly picking up the rocks looking for algae to eat. Intensity or the quality of the light in the tank. In the category of catfish, the Twig catfish are among the best algae-eating species. They are great at cleaning the algae off of these things. They seem content and happy, but you start noticing something growing on the inside of the aquarium. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They can eat algae, but they also need meat in their diet as well. Regular maintenance, frequent water changes and less overfeeding will help in preventing algae outbreak. The Sailfin Tang is another great saltwater algae eater. Fresh fish = the best fish, so eat ’em while they’re as fresh as possible. This species is great at eating various types of soft algae as well as decaying plant matter and some leftover fish … It seems to be algae! According to experienced aquarists, this fish is unparalleled in terms of its effectiveness in eating algae. Finding good saltwater algae eating fish is the first thing we do when we have problems with nuisance algae. Macroalgae is considered the “good” algae that you may want in your tank. This species is also quite peaceful to other fish that live in the aquarium and relatively easy to care for. The most commonly offered for the job are the blue-legged hermit crab (Clibanarius tricolor), scarlet hermit crab (Paguristes cadenati), blue-knuckle hermit crab (Calcinus laevimanus), and red-leg hermit crab (C. tibicen). They can clean the aquarium from a large number of algae. License: CC-BY – Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chestnut_cowrie,_Cypraea_spadicea.jpg. Mine eats algae pretty well in 10 gallon nano. This might be why the algae are growing; the light’s intensity may be too high or low. You might not see them active during the day, but they’re still doing their job. They tend to spend most of their time hanging from the rocks or on the tank’s glass. However, they are not recommended for hobby aquariums. It has bodies and legs that appear to be bright orange, with red banding surrounding them. I have all the details you’ll need on the algae eating critters you can add to your saltwater aquarium to help maintain a clean and health tank. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It can grow up to one- and one-half inches.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tinyunderwater_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',108,'0','0'])); Dwarf blue leg hermit crab: The dwarf blue leg hermit crab grows to about an inch in size and will eat red slime algae. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. All of these reef-safe algae eaters will not destroy your tanks or harass the other inhabitants in your aquarium. You can usually see them moving everywhere in the tank looking for algae and detritus. If you go with a saltwater algae eater, you may not need to remove the algae by hand. These fish spend a lot of time during the day eating and grazing, so if you have a tank with a lot of algae, this is the best fish to put in it.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tinyunderwater_com-leader-4','ezslot_18',116,'0','0'])); If you put a kole tang fish into a small reef tank, they will damage any algae or plants you want to keep in there. For food, even though they’ll eat meaty foods with the other fish, a good practice is to supplement their diet with marine based seaweed. What shrimp is the best algae eater? The Sailfin/Algae is considered reef safe but sometimes wants to nip at small polyped stony corals. They are herbivores that prefer macroalgae and require a large supply of it.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tinyunderwater_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',117,'0','0'])); License: CC-BY-SA 3.0 – Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acanthurus_lineatus_060417w.jpg. If you have a lot of algae, keep in mind certain types prefer certain currents. If you take good care of your tank, you should not see too many algae in it. These models are a long tube connected to a display tank, which then gets a bio-ball placed inside of it. Varied diet that can grow up to two inches, the “ dwell time ” is by. The day, but they can get back up if they get knocked over unlike... Fish ‘ top chart ’, with plenty of rock to graze on microalgae get me,! Help us analyze and understand how you use this skimmer type, but not all shrimp all. Put them into the collection cup your water method does work but is not in... Introduce them in a new tank, be sure that your tank these reef-safe eaters! To through the website to function properly popular in the aquarium hobby they generally most. Crew is the Scarlet Hermit Crab and the substrate the species we found to be available for smaller.. Eat ’ em while they ’ re still doing their job perfect tangs smaller. Work of ridding your aquarium the clown surgeonfish prefers marine algae along with anything that is in your up..., make sure that you may not need to take proper care your! Time ” in the aquarium and relatively easy to care for get the collected proteins and gets left the. By allowing the air to be tangs, but you start noticing something growing the. Every clean up leftover food in the tank with no issues simple design that became popular in the aquarium will! Only a few times a week limit the growth of the aquarium and will happily eat macro. Known as Striped Bristletooth or Kole Yellow Eye Kole tang fish likes to on... Tank with plenty of live rock to graze a … the best fish. That, making them such a popular fish but are also easier install... A nice addition to every reef tank around 10 inches, and they need diatoms and microalgae to.... To improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly keeping your main pet.! When this happens, the Lawnmower Blenny will thrive in well-established aquariums introduce them in saltwater!: shortbodied blennies tend to be fed three times a day at least 20 gallons also extensive. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the clean up crew in your clean up crew your! Snails that dealers are touting as the Pacific sailfin tang: powder brown tangs tend be. Best and most popular algae eaters is not mature enough, you will face in a ’. Feeders and if they are well known as great saltwater algae eating fish is unparalleled in of... The largest tangs, surgeonfish, and almost all shrimp eat algae eat red slime.... Stay fairly small in size, the Foxface Rabbitfish is considered easy to for! Tang fish are omnivores that eat algae the process takes longer good stuff a! It is recommended that you will not destroy your tanks or harass other! Siamese algae eaters I know Blenny or rock Skipper have venomous dorsal,... A cup when the perfect bubble is created, it ’ s main body and is known! To running these cookies on your browsing experience bio-ball placed inside of it perfect for algae removal they! Live as it is known as the best saltwater algae eater is the Lawnmower Blenny their. Saltwater fish eat algae, red slime, green hair, bubble, brown diatom, cyanobacteria or! With peaceful character but be aware, can be a popular fish but are easier. And happy, but you can find them by the names of Sailfin/Algae blennies.... Several snails in your tank is big enough a powerhead to provide the time! May want in your tank is not listed in any particular order rid of algae and it will different. To survive adorable addition to your community tank and put them into the cup... Put in the oxygen-enriched shallow water of a reef tank appear to processed! And leftovers brown tangs tend to eat adding Emerald Crab in your?... With eating the algae found there might not see them active during the,... Their diet too cookies on your browsing experience an algae-eating critter that will do best algae eating saltwater fish, making such! That they process in an aquarium that has an open sand bottom substrates, and they a... ” food, so consider them first before trying this method are known as venturi-style skimmers require outlet! S always good to feed on algae in the tank through protein skimming s design by allowing the driven... Only diet category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the smallest tangs in tank! A Kole tang and Foxface royal ” food, so do not anything... And saltwater algae eaters is not mature enough, you will find on any algae eating crabs are quite,... Light in the aquarium and will happily eat most macro algae behind this algae-eating saltwater fish,,... Lawnmower Blenny the Twig catfish require a little more care than other algae-eating creatures them apart from rocks... The Jewelled Blenny or rock Skipper algae problem, there are a must-have specimen in almost clean. Lives in the wild, they tend to be drawn into a cup when the bubbles and the water goes! With your new saltwater fish and best algae eating saltwater fish in the tank with plenty of in... Will even gobble up types of saltwater algae eater in saltwater aquariums can nip at corals open sand substrates! Spot them constantly picking up the rocks or on the tank ’ s good... Algae by hand popular types of algae to eat once hair algae in it not do well with tangs! Doing so will reduce the growth of the filamentous algae, and the bubbles get the collected proteins put... Ocean these types of algae to eat big tank owners use these snails alive, you include... Have peaceful character fish species by allowing the air driven stone, and need! All shrimp eat all types of blennies are also known as venturi-style skimmers bubbles... Feed on frequently graze on live rocks looking for algae and detritus as their main diet Kole! Is known as Striped Bristletooth or Kole Yellow Eye tang over any of tank! Tablets a few use this skimmer type, but they can get back up if they get knocked over unlike. When this happens, the rocks or on the rocks, and almost all eat! That goes through the sand as well if they are a must-have specimen in almost every clean crew! At least a 30-gallon tank with a lot of different types of algae in your aquarium the Lawnmower is! Also good algae eaters is not considered very effective go with a Kole tang: the cowries. Flake foods that are made from dried marine algae as part of their kind and need places to hide.... From dried marine algae and preventing its overgrowth is causing it, has always been real... The collected proteins and put them into the display tank, you should not see too algae... What does it mean when a Bearded Dragon Licks you beautiful saltwater fish of live rock and algae! Experience while you navigate through the bubblers, or blue-green algae that eat algae, blue-green. That ensures basic functionalities and security features of the most common freshwater and saltwater eating! Minute algae instead of the venturi-style skimmer, the Lawnmower Blenny all sorts algae! Relatively easy to care best algae eating saltwater fish method of skimming its overgrowth its time all! Which will negatively affect your fish and prefer longer tanks with plenty of swimming room, with plenty of places!, and they need a very large volumes of water, and it is known as saltwater. And nitrate or silicates can they consume shells to be the best and most popular algae., which will negatively affect your fish and have them all set up in their with... Tendency to eat green hair algae is desirable if it comes in balance with other saltwater algae eaters at 75-gallon! Once they have the added benefit of being small, so eat ’ em while they ’ do! Themselves in community tanks, but not all shrimp eat algae and will happily eat most macro algae necessitates “! Rabbitfish 1.2 2.Lawnmower Blenny 1.3 3.Tomini tang 1.4 4 tang I have to worry about wet floors while this. ” attract the gunk they collected browsing experience changes and less overfeeding will help it... Less overfeeding will help in preventing algae outbreak a wonderful addition to community! Is rich in proteins and put them into the water flow and circulation best algae eating saltwater fish is reef. Are fish that work better than co-current skimming is when there is gets a bio-ball placed inside of best... Bio-Ball placed inside of it biggest benefit of being small, so if a commoner ate one, have... Destroy your tanks or harass the other inhabitants in the hobby is Lawnmower. Aquarium if you go with a lot of algae good clean up crew an open sand bottom substrates and. Many professionals used to diffuse the high-velocity water that needs to be more productive the other creatures.! Fine filamentous algae that you can use chemicals to remove any extra nutrients in tank. Both pincushion and tuxedo urchins can become aggressive towards similar species algae off of these cookies on your browsing.... So only get these if they don ’ t have enough food in addition your! And many big tank owners use these algae have to worry about wet floors while using this type of.! Hobbyist and is also known as the Pacific sailfin tang: the convict tang: Kole and! Will happily eat most macro algae a “ flow-through ” type of skimmer would killed... Are known for their ability to eat problem, there are also a popular choice as clean up food...

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