Do algae blennys eat hair algae?

Hens4Fish · 09/02/2006, 06:53 AM

Just like the post says, do they? I have a minor hair algae problem in my 24 aquapod. The crabs are working on it, but just wondered if the algae blenny actually ate the hair algae. Please let me know if they worked for you.
Thanks

Bluemorningwind · 09/02/2006, 07:37 AM

They help.

Urchins do a better job, though.

kaserpick · 09/02/2006, 08:05 AM

Put more crabs in there; hair algae will look like steak if they're hungry enough...f

Kaserpick

rtecanoe · 09/02/2006, 08:07 AM

some do and some don't!! It's like emerald crabs and bubble algae.

stereomandan · 09/02/2006, 08:28 AM

Not much, in my experience. At the time I added one, I had a LOT for him to munch on, but he didn't really touch it, and ended up dying.

It was the first fish I've lost in the last 5 years or so. They can be hit or miss. I do not recommend buying them for algae control, because they don't eat enough to make a big difference.

Here was my little guy:

A better way to get rid of hair algae is to get your nitrates down with a deep sand bed, plenum, or lots of macro algae.

Hens4Fish · 09/02/2006, 08:35 AM

Thanks for the advice. Anyone else?

Sk8r · 09/02/2006, 08:41 AM

Use a toothbrush [new] and the wind-and-yank method to take out the long streamers they can't handle, and yes, they help a lot.

09/02/2006, 06:53 AM	#1
Hens4Fish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 1,297	Do algae blennys eat hair algae? Just like the post says, do they? I have a minor hair algae problem in my 24 aquapod. The crabs are working on it, but just wondered if the algae blenny actually ate the hair algae. Please let me know if they worked for you. Thanks

09/02/2006, 08:05 AM	#3
kaserpick Keeping it Simple Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 2,637	Put more crabs in there; hair algae will look like steak if they're hungry enough...f Kaserpick __________________ Kasey Current Tank Info: None

09/02/2006, 08:07 AM	#4
rtecanoe Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oakdale, Long Island Posts: 512	some do and some don't!! It's like emerald crabs and bubble algae. __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: 180 gallon reef

09/02/2006, 08:28 AM	#5
stereomandan Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,888	Not much, in my experience. At the time I added one, I had a LOT for him to munch on, but he didn't really touch it, and ended up dying. It was the first fish I've lost in the last 5 years or so. They can be hit or miss. I do not recommend buying them for algae control, because they don't eat enough to make a big difference. Here was my little guy: A better way to get rid of hair algae is to get your nitrates down with a deep sand bed, plenum, or lots of macro algae. __________________ 90g Tank, 75 lbs Live Rock, T5, T8 and VHO Lighting, Closed loop on Snapper Pump 1.5" Sand in main tank, DSB in 38g Sump, B-ionic Daily, Temp 79, SG 1.026 LPS, Softies Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Reef

09/02/2006, 08:41 AM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Use a toothbrush [new] and the wind-and-yank method to take out the long streamers they can't handle, and yes, they help a lot. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/02/2006, 07:37 AM	#2
Bluemorningwind Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tokyo Posts: 441	They help. Urchins do a better job, though.

09/02/2006, 08:35 AM	#6
Hens4Fish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 1,297	Thanks for the advice. Anyone else?