Can I add an Algae Blenny to my tank??????

[steri]

See below to see my current tank mates.

I'm worried adding another fish may be too much, but I've recently been wanting to add an Algae Blenny to my tank, although I think I already know the answer to this question, and will probably not get one.

If I can add it, should I expect my pseudochromis (Dottyback) to cause it problems? He doesn't bother anything else in my tank, but the dottyback was the last fish I added a few months back.

Thanks for the help.

[papagimp]

IMO, would be kinda pushing it a little with another fish. Do you have enough algae growth to sustain an algae eating blenny?

My opinion is based on seeing my 75g with 6 fish in it right now. I don't think i'd add very many more to my setup, due to lack of room and homes for each individual fish. But others have kept alot more in alot smaller....how optimal does your water quality stay currently? any squabbling amoung current tankmates?

[bertoni]

I think the tank is fairly heavily loaded as is, actually, I think it's overloaded. The tang gets to be very large.

[steri]

No, no issues with current tankmates. I haven't added a fish in about 3-4 months though.

I think I have enough algae growth to sustain one and I do also feed Nori to my fish among other things.

My levels are quite stable. My trates seem to fluctuate between 10-15, but my trites and Ammonia are always 0.

Ya, I think it might be too much for my tank. That's what I expected to hear.

I'd like to have one, but not enough to get rid of one of my current guys. I just wanted something new to look at in the tank, but I love the ones that are in there, not to mention that they all seem to get along. I guess I'll have to pass on this one.

Oh well, I guess I can spend the $$$ on a new coral instead

[BangkokMatt]

Unless you are experiencing a massive algae bloom I would not get the blenny. You have a heavy stock. You need to get your Nitrates down if you can. Do a 20% water change.

[mr_o98]

steri,
You stated that you feed Nori and feel you would be able to sustain an algae blenny. I have had an algae blenny for almost 2 years. It does NOT eat nori or frozen food. During feeding time it cleans my glass. I pray everyday that it will eat something other than the algae on my glass/rocks, but it never does. I have a Tang, Foxface and an Angel, all of which are grazers. To sustain my blenny, I clean my glass once a week, if that.
You already have 3 grazers, I wouldn't chance adding another.

[mr_o98]

I also cannot add any snails to my tank because it will eat the blenny's food supply. Talk about a special needs fish.

[steri]

I fully admit I'm no genius on the topic, but I never thought Nitrates around 10-15 were a big deal at all, especially if it's consistently in that area. If my numbers spike around 50+ (which I don't think would happen) I'll do a 20% water change in a hurry, but until then my 5 gallons e/o week seems to be doing just fine.

Thanks for the advice on the blenny.

[bertoni]

Stony corals might have some issues with nitrate at 10-15 ppm, I'm not sure. I can't think of any other animals that would suffer.

[steri]

Good points Mr_o98. I didn't think about all that.

[Chibils]

Inverts such as crabs, snails, shrimp etc. are all very sensitive to nitrates.

[vickreyreef]

I was just thinking of getting an algae blenny...we seem to always have some hair algae kicking around and stuff on the rocks...is it true you shouldn't have snails if you get one?

[bertoni]

I haven't ever seen any data that snails, crabs, or shrimps are sensitive to nitrate, and I kept snails and shrimps in a tank with 40-50 ppm nitrate for years with no problems.