most useful tang

[gusmanda]

what are the most useful tangs as far as algae control is concerned? (for tanks of 120g)

[papagimp]

wouldn't rely on a tang for algae control.....that's what your there for. Keep the tank clean and water parameters where they should be and algae shouldn't be an issue.

That said, depends on the type of algae you're seeing. Tangs are not going to eat any and all algae, they have their preferences.

[Konadog]

I have a Sail fin and a Purple tang, neither do a great job. IMO my fox face eats more algae than any tang I have. Chevron tangs seem to always be picking at the rocks.

[Dubbin1]

I have a scopas tang that will eat anything green in the tank.

[gusmanda]

let me change the question then, assuming you had a 120g tank, but only wanted to keep one tang, are there any functional benefits of having one vs. another tang?

[papagimp]

Originally posted by gusmanda
let me change the question then, assuming you had a 120g tank, but only wanted to keep one tang, are there any functional benefits of having one vs. another tang?

The prettier tang would probably keep the spouse off your butt more Very important function in my household.

I've only had limited experience with various tangs but in my experience, I would imagine it'll come down to the specific individuals attitude toward munchin' on the algae. I've seem yellow tangs before where one would nip all day long, while another would simply wait to be fed.

another thought for you to ponder....the algae in the tank alone will not suffice in keeping the tang at optimal health levels. He'll need to be fed better stuff, such as nori, at least on occasion. But that'll be obvious the moment you find an algae lovin' tang, won't take long to clear a tank when the hunger gets em.

[gusmanda]

So I guess what I'm hearing is that there isn't one tang more useful than another tang by species. It wil depend on the right attitude!

[ugluk]

My only experience with tangs is with a Kole tang so I dont know how much other tangs pick at algae but my Kole picks at the rocks and tank constantly.

[r0bin]

My yellow picks constantly along with my dwarf angel.

[Sk8r]

There's a lot of individual variance. I know a purple that would eat any green algae---except nori. Had to have live stuff.
The purples have a rep for temper and nippiness. This one was mild as milk with all small fish, and the mandy was in love with him, followed him everywhere. Put another tang in there and it would have been WWIII.