algae eater - recommendations?

[rBeOeBf]

Can anyone suggest a good (preferably colorful) algae eating fish that would be happy in a 29g? It's not so much the large macro algaes i'm worried about, but a lot of short fuzzy maroon and brown algae that's starting to overtake my live rock.

-Bob

 

[Len]

If you want efficient grazing, Salarias fasciatus (Lawnmower blenny) would be the ticket. Not colorful, but effective. With a 29, you have very limited choices.

 

[T4Stock]

A Mower Blenny would be great! I actually LOVE them... I think Blennies are very cool-looking fish with an outgoing personality. They look a little cartoonish and can be goofy at times..... My first Mower was and remains my favorite fish...

But I might be weird

 

[rBeOeBf]

I find the lawnmower blennies interesting to watch too, I was just hoping to find something with a little more color. I've been contemplating a bi-color blenny as well, but I wasn't sure if it would do as good of a job on the algae. Maybe I'll give one a try if I can't come up with any other options. Thanks.

Bob

 

[Dragonlady]

They are obviously not fish, but why not get a group of snails instead? They do an excellent job of eating nuisance algae especially if you get around 20-30 of them.

 

[2poor2reef]

Yep, I keep a lawnmower blenny and love him. But my queen conch (strombus gigas) does a better job of eating algae/diatoms.

 

[BitOrder]

I would vote for the Lawnmower Blenny. There not pretty to look at but they make up for it in personality! And those lip marks they leave on the glass still make me laugh.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree about blennies being very entertaining fish. After my Lawnmower jumped out of the tank I replaced him with a Bicolor Blenny. More colorful and does a good job on the algae. My Sally Lightfoot crab also contributes greatly to depleting algae. It's not a fish but it's very colorful.