which rabbitfish?

[jimmer]

is there a clear winner for algea eating or are they all good??

[AlgaeMan]

They all eat most algae. I would go with a Foxface for size tank. They are one of the smallest of the family.

[DanConnor]

I have seen doliatus cited as one of the best for algae; no persona exp though.

[rick17]

i have a foxface in my reef great fish and great algea eater

[BadMotorFinger]

Doliatus eat everything.

Everything. You will have no more valonia, derbesia, you name it.

But it's a very-high metabolism fish and needs food to supplement too. Nori should work.

The most beautiful rabbitfish I've seen, too.

[bigworm616]

if your looking to get a foxface, get a magnificent or bi-color foxface. They are a bit more expensive, but also a bit rarer, then just a regular foxface Lo, but thats what i would do. Good luck.

[bradleyj]

My choice is Doliatus, mine eats everything and gets along with all the other fish, very shy though, does not like big crowds.
[IMG][/IMG]

[SVXH6]

jimmer-- the virgate looks exactly like that except ther are no lines on the sides, just a few blue dots along the top. and it is an algae eating machine. at least it is in my tank. i replied to your pm.

[RichK]

I'd have to vote for the Doliatus as well. I had a serious grape caulerpa issue when I first redid my tank. I added a Doliatus and within 2 weeks there was no algae to be seen. The fish is an eating machine.

[myfin]

I vote for foxface/ rabbitfish - magnificant/metallic. Are any of the rabbitfish likly to eat/ nip at LPS or zoathids in a reef aquarium?

[Jens Kallmeyer]

Originally posted by myfin
....Are any of the rabbitfish likly to eat/ nip at LPS or zoathids in a reef aquarium?

HI myfin

You can never be 100% sure, but they are rather on the Reef safe side. Keep them well fed with algae and the chances that they start eating your LPS etc. are significantly reduced.

Jens

[CrazyLionfish]

I was going to say foxface because I've heard they were good.... until I saw bradleyj's Doliatus, wow never even seen a Doliatus before, go with one of those! Incase he doesn't eat algae you have that beautiful fish! lol

[snookcatcher]

do yellow tangs do as good on algae control as rabbitfish?? i would like a fish for algae control in my 90 but i like the look of the yellow tang better? which one would you choose?

[CrazyLionfish]

From what I've heard some yellow tangs nip at algae and from what i've heard, foxface rabbitfish devour algae.

[RichK]

I have a yellow tang as well as my Doliatus. The yellow tang never ate the grape caulerpa. I'd say by far the Doliatus is a much better herbivore than a yellow tang.

[BadMotorFinger]

I've had my Wu-Tang Clan (GZA, Raekwon, and Ol Dirty B@stard) for years (a yellow, purple, and blue respectively) and none of them touched valonia.

The doliatus raged through it in a week. Pest algae gone.

My doliatus died when I was on vacation - the microalgae and pellets weren't enough to sustain it. I feel terrible and won't make that mistake again.

They have to be fed a *lot* of algae... they have such a fast metabolism. A fat, healthy one is truly a beauty though. I really miss mine. Good luck - I've even seen a doliatus-virgatus hybrid before at my LFS. Should have bought it when I had the chance.

[mgny]

Did your doliatus bother any corals ?

[BadMotorFinger]

Not mine. Grazed incessantly, that's about it. It was funny to watch it defend itself vs. ODB. Those back spikes got the point across.

There's a monster fat one at an LFS near me. Lots of color and personality... eats like a champ. Not for sale though - it's the owner's pet. I'll get another one someday.

[snookcatcher]

how about a bristletooth tomini tang, how would they be?

[jda]

I had a doliatus and it never touched valona. How did you get it to eat it?

I might try another one just for that.

Bristletooth tangs (chevron, tomini, chocolate, etc.) are the best tangs at eating algae IMO, but they aren't as good as rabbits.

[Lures and Jigs]

Originally posted by snookcatcher
how about a bristletooth tomini tang, how would they be?

We have a Bristletooth in our tank, it's a great fish but I wouldn't rely on it to clean up an algea problem. On the flip side I've heard a lot of people say they don't do well in a sterile tank, either. Definately a grazer that needs something to munch on throughout the day.