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Unique Algae Eaters for your Aquarium

by greg.chernoff

Even though battling algae is best done by finding and solving the underlying nutrient or lighting issue, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a few algae eaters in your tank to help keep it in check. Home aquariums naturally have more nutrients than wild ecosystems, and the slightest change in maintenance can lead to short term algae problems until it is addressed. While most websites and fish stores like selling hobbyists fish like tangs or Foxfaces, what do you do if you only have a 60 gallon tank or less and cannot house these fish? What about a nano tank? Are snails really the only option now? Nope! Although less talked about, there are several smaller species that will eat algae even better than tangs and Foxfaces.

Court Jester Goby

Also known as the Rainford Goby and Orange Lined Goby, these little guys are a great nano fish all around. Many nano fish are perching type fish, or ones that are usually seen sitting on the rocks or sand bed. Very few “free swimming” fish can live in tiny tanks (8-15 gallons), but this is one of them! These small fish are brightly colored, with a green to blue body, red horizontal stripes, yellow tinged face, and small white polka dots. Shy at first, they are incredibly peaceful towards tank mates and can even be kept in groups! Large or aggressive tank mates may scare them, so add your goby before these fish. Orange Lined Gobies graze on hair algae as their primary food source, and wild caught specimens may be hesitant to try prepared foods. For this reason, aquacultured gobies are recommended. Not only does it make our hobby more sustainable, but it ensures you will receive a healthy fish who is ready to mow down algae, but won’t starve when the tank is clean. Most of the time, tank bred fish are already trained to eat frozen food, flakes, and pellets in addition to hair algae.

Tailspot Blenny

Everyone knows that the Algae Blenny is great at controlling algae in aquariums. But, they can get rather large, I have had them reach 5 and 6 inches in length. And, many individuals get fairly aggressive and prevent you from keeping other blennies or gobies that look similar to the Lawnmower. Alternatively, try a Tailspot Blenny! These small blennies only require a 10 gallon tank or larger, unlike the larger species. And, they have flashier colors. Their namesake is the large black spot at the base of their tail, and they possess a orangish grey body with a bluish head and black and orange streaks on their cheeks. They can also be kept in pairs! Algae is one of their favorite foods, and they will keep their rock crevice looking pristine. During the day, they will venture out of their home crevice and clean any spots on your rockscape that could use some algae control. Aside from algae, they are not picky eaters. Pellets, frozen foods, and flakes will all be accepted by Tailspot Blennies.

Hector’s Goby

This little goby is very similar to the Court Jester Goby, although not as widely known. Hector’s Gobies are small fish only requiring a 10 gallon tank, and is completely reef safe. Their bodies are black with blue or red undertones, and they show off flashy, golden horizontal stripes and a spot on their dorsal fin. Another great “free swimming” fish for nano tanks, they are also very peaceful tank members and can easily be added together in a group. Even better yet, they are known to pick through the sand looking for bits of detritus, algae, and small worms. But, they are not a danger to any tank mates or invertebrates aside from this. Hector’s Gobies are another easy fish to feed, as frozen and small dry foods are readily accepted.

Two Spot Bimaculatus Blenny

Two Spots are very similar to Tailspot Blennies. They have strikingly similar body shapes, but are a more slate grey color with two black or dark brown spots on each side of their stomach area, and a black line through their eye. They are a good option for even 5 or 8 gallon pico tanks, as they typically don’t reach sizes much larger than one inch. Like most others on this list, they are easily scared by large or boisterous tank mates and make a better option for a peaceful set up. They appreciate being kept in groups, although it is not necessary. Once again, a good herbivore prepared or frozen food is accepted by these fish, as they aren’t incredibly picky eaters.

Bicolor Blenny

Bicolor Blennies are relatively popular fish, due to their low cost, pretty markings, and outgoing nature. Much like a Lawnmower Blenny, these larger fish will perch on your rocks and help keep them looking clean as algae eaters. Bicolors are slightly bigger than the others on this list, attaining sizes upwards of 4 inches. And, they are still considered a nano fish, but need at least a 30 gallon tank. In smaller tanks, they do have a tendency to become somewhat territorial. Male and female pairs can be kept, but multiple males should not be housed together except in exceedingly large tanks. Their colors are comprised of a grey head and stomach that fades into an orange posterior, and lovely blue eyes. I will add that a few hobbyists mention that their Bicolors do not touch hair algae, but the vast majority of owners report that they do indeed mow it down happily. As with most animals, it really depends on the individual! And, some Bicolor Blennies develop a taste for coral, especially green colored LPS. Although cases of this are few and far between, it scares some reef keepers and this fish is considered “reef safe with caution.” Most people offer their Bicolors algae wafers and nori in addition to prepared foods.

 

Lemon Peel Angel

Another large but not huge option is a Lemon Peel Angel. Although most dwarf angels are reported to pick at liverock and are considered algae eaters (I have had luck with Flame, Rusty, and Eiblii), Lemon Peels are generally regarded as the best in the business as far as the angels go. Many hobbyists that have owned a Lemon Peel say that hair algae and bryopsis quickly took root in their tank after they have lost their angel. This truly is a beautiful little fish, with its bright yellow body that is accented by electric blue outlines around the fins, gills, and eyes. They can reach sizes of about 5 inches, and should be kept in a tank of at least 55 gallons. But, they make for a beautiful replacement for hobbyists who want to own a Yellow Tang but simply don’t have a large enough tank! They are not a picky eater whatsoever, and will eat whatever is offered. They typically will demolish nori, so it is highly recommended to supplement their diet with seaweed, especially in low-algae systems. As with Bicolor Blennies, a few individuals may develop an appetite for fleshy corals, and this angel must be labelled “reef safe with caution.” I personally have never had a problem keeping these fish in reef tanks.

Final Thoughts on Algae Eaters

I always like to have a strong clean up crew and an algae eating fish or two as a first line of defense against algae blooms in my tank. Algae is something every single hobbyist will have to deal with at some point, and it is a natural occurrence both in the aquarium and on the actual reef. While maintaining proper water chemistry will drastically cut down on the amount of algae in your tank, you will still experience it in some form. And, since so many aquarium keepers have tanks under 60 gallons, it is important that these smaller algae eaters are recognized and not overlooked. While so many stores are willing to sell unsuspecting people Foxfaces and tangs as a cure-all for algae problems, these fish often get ignored even though they typically eat more algae more efficiently than tangs and Foxfaces. Surely, any algae eating fish in this list would make a wonderful addition to any saltwater aquarium and keep it free of unsightly algae!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. jason.prindle says

    how do you keep the Lemon Peel Angel;s away from Coral? I see them in mixed reefs, but do we just add one & hope it doesn’t eat them?

    Reply

    • Rhonda Swetnam says

      Thank you so much for this article! it is great information and I will be getting one or more of these little guys soon. Thanks again!

      Reply

  6. dragonprincess74008 says

    What a good read! I might have to change my stock wishlist to include a couple of these!

    Reply

  13. Mark A Smith says

    Definitely a few things to consider when considering my next tank mate. Thanks for the info, super helpful!

    Reply

  14. Rudy Garcia says

    I never even considered the Court Jester or Hector’s Gobies when looking at getting algae eating fish. Good to know.

    Reply

  18. Marlon Holland says

    Hi have a bicolor blenney, and did not know that they ate algae. I nice read and some great fish for me to think about.

    Reply

  21. Compy Ginorio says

    I got few Goby in my 185gl DT and they are very well behave and fun to watch they are a plus in every tank.

    Reply

  29. kayla18j says

    Really great read! I’ve been doing a lot of research lately as I’ve been wanting to get a larger aquarium and this definitely came in handy!

    Reply

  36. Jeanne Brown says

    This was informative, thank you. I absolutely love tail spot blennies–they are adorable, although I didn’t really think of them as an algae eater. I do have a lawnmower blenny but he is in a 120 gallon tank with more aggressive fish. I have kept the hector and rainford gobies as well. Also, did not know the lemon peel was a particularly good algae eater, so that is great. (I have a coral beauty and flameback but I don’t see them eat a lot of algae. ) Thank you for the informative article.

    Reply

  62. kaylie.marcellus says

    That court jester goby and the bicolor blenny are so cool, I love the blenny on the rock especially. I wish I had a reef tank, the fish are so cool.

    Reply

  63. kaylie.marcellus says

    That court jester goby and the bicolor blenny are so cool, I love the blenny on the rock especially. I wish I had a reef tank, the fish are so cool.

    Reply

  69. Michael w botzenmayer says

    Do Court jester goby School together? I would like to put a couple in the 1800 when I get it

    Reply

  127. Dallas says

    I have always wanted a court jester goby, but felt it might not make it in my tank with the current tank inhabitants.

    Reply

  137. zadok jollie says

    Great information!! I have an issue with algae at the moment and I will definitely be getting one of these fish.

    Reply

  142. saintdominick says

    I have a fresh water tank right now and I found AlgaeBarn through a contest and I gotta say this company is so well informed. I’m reconsidering startling a saltwater tank. I struggle a lot with finding good information and reliable products. I’m gonna start shopping here from now on.

    Reply

  171. Joaquin Diaz says

    Oh Lord, there are so many comments. I do agree that these are quite interesting critters. But my favorite is the foxface. You did not include it and that is A.. Ok.. but the foxface is just so darn cute.

    Reply

  179. Russell George says

    Good to know. We just got a little 25gal tank for our grandson and I wasn’t sure what kinds of fish to put in it. Now I know some that can help clean up and don’t get too big.

    Reply

  192. Christina Wahrmund says

    I love the orange tail fish, but it is not as good with algae as the other algae eaters listed here.

    Reply

  208. ROBERT FERNETTE says

    I’ve got a lawnmower blenny that does the trick for taking care of any algae on my live rocks, as well as my hermit crabs, green emerald crabs, and my sally lightfoot crabs.

    Reply

  216. Mary Robling Meadows says

    I love the Rainford Goby! Going to look in to getting a few of these! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  218. kirkbovie says

    My plans are to add fish by personality and swim traits.

    Of course a pair of clowns that host a anemone.
    A rock percher like a Clown goby or hawk fish.
    Open swimmer. Maybe a school of anthias or chromis.
    A algae eater. I really like the starry blenny but I want to keep a Midas also so I don’t know. Definitely a pistol shrimp and goby pair. Lastly to complete my fish stock any reef safe wrasse. They’re stunning!

    Reply

  219. kirkbovie says

    My plans are to add fish by personality and swim traits.

    Of course a pair of clowns that host a anemone.
    A rock percher like a Clown goby or hawk fish.
    Open swimmer. Maybe a school of anthias or chromis.
    A algae eater. I really like the starry blenny but I want to keep a Midas also so I don’t know. Definitely a pistol shrimp and goby pair. Lastly to complete my fish stock any reef safe wrasse. They’re stunning!

    Reply

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