Blonde Naso and Algae

[Brad Villeggiante]

So since I rebuilt my tank 5 weeks ago everything has been going well exept...

My tank doesen't look like a saltwater tank, it looks like a green hair algae farm. So far it hasn't gone away but has continued to grow longer. So today I bought a Blonde Naso Tang to help with the problem but so far he hasn't started pecking at the algae yet. Are Naso good algae eaters or did I make a mistake?

[moonpod]

Naso tangs are NOT good algae eaters.

[Ruth]

I have a large Blonde Naso tang in my 190g and the only things so far that I can get him to eat is Nori, grape calerpa and chaeto. Won't touch any meaty foods and is not interested in spirilina flakes. I did have a bit of hair algea (very small) growing in one spot that has disappeared but I think it is more due to zeo than him eating it.

[TomL]

Are Naso good algae eaters or did I make a mistake?

From my knowledge Naso tang is far from green hair algae eater. I saw mine eat bubble algae (valonia), otherwise nori, chaeto, chicory,... Maybe others have different experiences....

[moonpod]

It's not to say that a naso won't do some grazing, but they aren't a "notorious" algae mower. They are not in the league of the bristle tooth tangs or rabbitfish, etc....
What Blonde Nasos are good for....absolutely gorgeous active non shy fish.

[Ruth]

They are a very nice fish - I love mine. He eats from my hand - well actually it's kind of a wrestling match to see it I can get the sheet of nori attached to the magnet I use to hold it in place before he has torn it out of my hand. Mine is about 10" long and fat and active.

[Brad Villeggiante]

Well, I went back to my LFS and exchanged the Naso for a Purple Tang. Hopefully it will do a better job removing the algae.

[Chad W]

Blenny's are good for eating algae as well. I had a eyelash blenny years ago and it was a pretty cool little fish. Always seemed to be watching what was going on outside the tank. Another tang is a Dejardini or a Kole Tang. If your Purple Tang does'nt make much headway don't hesitate on a Eyelash Blenny. I would imagine they are OK w/ SPS. I have'nt ever looked into it.
Later,
Chad