Tailspot blennies

sk8rreefgeek · 04/25/2008, 04:54 PM

My GF wants to get one of these guys. Are they good algae eaters? Any special needs?

VanRuiten · 04/25/2008, 05:35 PM

He fails to mention (lol) that it would be in a 24g nano which is currently occupied by 2 clowns, 1 pep & 1 skunk shrimp, ur typical cuc & some what of an algea problem!

We would appriciate any advice that can be given!

MrSquid · 04/25/2008, 06:18 PM

I've got a tail spot in my 125g. She (?) picks at lettuce algae all day long, but honestly they're so tiny, that any effect it'd have on algae would be negligible.

Regardless though, they're REALLY cute fish! When mine isn't eating, she's hanging out in the current on a monti cap. Too cute!

fishnfool · 04/25/2008, 06:43 PM

I just got one for my 24g nano and is one of the coolest fish I've had. Started picking at the rocks for algae the day after it was introduced and now has a fat belly! He is in there with a tomato clown and fire shrimp. No special needs that I'm aware of, I will occasionally put in a piece of nori but he seems content and happy picking at the algae on the rocks. Not sure if one would control an algae problem but they will eat it.

FWIW, you could look for other ways to control algae, if your phosphates and nitrates are high you will always have a problem. Check out the chemistry forum for ways to control this.

Mark426 · 04/25/2008, 06:48 PM

I had one for a long time. It was my favorite fish . They get along with everything and are very peaceful (except with own kind) The only down side is, being a herbivore they poop alot and add quite abit to your bio-load for such a small fish. With just two other fish in your cube you will be ok though. It will make a great addition to your tank.....go for it! You will fall in love.

Mark

p.s. Yeah...they wont help much with the algae in a 125G, but in your cube they will help quite abit.

rssjsb · 04/25/2008, 08:26 PM

I've had one for about 3 years, first in a 10 (as the only fish), now in a 20L with other TINY fish. He's great. They do eat algae, but will also eat pretty much anything you put in the tank. I think it would be fine in your setup. The only downside is that mine has been known to nip occasionally at my acan hillae. Maybe he was after something besides the coral, who knows. I moved it to another tank and all was happy again.

sk8rreefgeek · 04/28/2008, 09:28 AM

thanks guys. sounds like she'll be gettin one soon

macreefster · 04/28/2008, 05:57 PM

remember geek....it's all about what your gf wants!...lol.

i've had a tailspot for over a year. first in my 29 nano and now in my 70 and it's a very hardy fish that is compatible with just about anything and while they do eat algae, i'm not sure just how efficient they are at it, but they are fun to watch and i'd get one for that reason alone.

sk8rreefgeek · 04/29/2008, 09:04 AM

ur right about that lol. One tailspot, comin up haha

04/25/2008, 04:54 PM	#1
sk8rreefgeek Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lodi, California Posts: 1,352	Tailspot blennies My GF wants to get one of these guys. Are they good algae eaters? Any special needs? __________________ It's time for operation crazy-plan Current Tank Info: Drilled 55g, 14g sump, coralife 125 SS: mated pair of b&w misbar clowns, ywg

04/25/2008, 06:43 PM	#4
fishnfool Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: simi valley Posts: 165	I just got one for my 24g nano and is one of the coolest fish I've had. Started picking at the rocks for algae the day after it was introduced and now has a fat belly! He is in there with a tomato clown and fire shrimp. No special needs that I'm aware of, I will occasionally put in a piece of nori but he seems content and happy picking at the algae on the rocks. Not sure if one would control an algae problem but they will eat it. FWIW, you could look for other ways to control algae, if your phosphates and nitrates are high you will always have a problem. Check out the chemistry forum for ways to control this. __________________ Russel I've never been any good in groups. It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent. -Q Current Tank Info: 40B DT, 20L sump, 2x AI Hydra, Aquamaxx ConeS CO-1, MP10/WP10 (coming soon), DC3000 Return, Apex Lite

04/25/2008, 06:48 PM	#5
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	I had one for a long time. It was my favorite fish . They get along with everything and are very peaceful (except with own kind) The only down side is, being a herbivore they poop alot and add quite abit to your bio-load for such a small fish. With just two other fish in your cube you will be ok though. It will make a great addition to your tank.....go for it! You will fall in love. Mark p.s. Yeah...they wont help much with the algae in a 125G, but in your cube they will help quite abit. Last edited by Mark426; 04/25/2008 at 07:01 PM.

04/25/2008, 08:26 PM	#6
rssjsb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,243	I've had one for about 3 years, first in a 10 (as the only fish), now in a 20L with other TINY fish. He's great. They do eat algae, but will also eat pretty much anything you put in the tank. I think it would be fine in your setup. The only downside is that mine has been known to nip occasionally at my acan hillae. Maybe he was after something besides the coral, who knows. I moved it to another tank and all was happy again. __________________ Robin

04/28/2008, 09:28 AM	#7
sk8rreefgeek Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lodi, California Posts: 1,352	thanks guys. sounds like she'll be gettin one soon __________________ It's time for operation crazy-plan Current Tank Info: Drilled 55g, 14g sump, coralife 125 SS: mated pair of b&w misbar clowns, ywg

04/25/2008, 05:35 PM	#2
VanRuiten Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lodi, Ca Posts: 4	He fails to mention (lol) that it would be in a 24g nano which is currently occupied by 2 clowns, 1 pep & 1 skunk shrimp, ur typical cuc & some what of an algea problem! We would appriciate any advice that can be given!

04/25/2008, 06:18 PM	#3
MrSquid Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 1,437	I've got a tail spot in my 125g. She (?) picks at lettuce algae all day long, but honestly they're so tiny, that any effect it'd have on algae would be negligible. Regardless though, they're REALLY cute fish! When mine isn't eating, she's hanging out in the current on a monti cap. Too cute!

04/28/2008, 05:57 PM	#8
macreefster Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 1,015	remember geek....it's all about what your gf wants!...lol. i've had a tailspot for over a year. first in my 29 nano and now in my 70 and it's a very hardy fish that is compatible with just about anything and while they do eat algae, i'm not sure just how efficient they are at it, but they are fun to watch and i'd get one for that reason alone. __________________ mac Current Tank Info: 70gal sps reef (36x24x20), 50g sump, 25g refugium, vertex alpha cone 170, 2 x 250w 14k phoenix w/ lumenmax 3's, 2 vortech mp40w's, eheim 1262 return pump

04/29/2008, 09:04 AM	#9
sk8rreefgeek Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lodi, California Posts: 1,352	ur right about that lol. One tailspot, comin up haha __________________ It's time for operation crazy-plan Current Tank Info: Drilled 55g, 14g sump, coralife 125 SS: mated pair of b&w misbar clowns, ywg