Surgeonfishes: Tangs for  Marine Aquariums Diversity, Selection & Care New eBook on Amazon: Available here New Print Book on Create Space: Available here by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Bryopsis Eater I know there's a good number of people who suffer from Bryopsis (wiry, dark green hair algae) plagues, including myself. I've heard they usually crash over time, but I've yet to see it happen in real life. Any cures (biological or otherwise) you can suggest would be greatly appreciated. I'd soon pull out my own hair then my Bryopsis again! <<Leonard, I still am pumping for the Tang genus Ctenochaetus to munch this algal genus control-wise. Look into the couple of species generally offered for sale out of Hawai'i: C. strigosus (the Kole or Yellow-eye) or C. hawaiiensis (the Chevy)...Bob Fenner>> 

Kole Tang Beautiful pic on the updates page--didn't mention it earlier because we had other business. I read the entries for this one on WWM--would make a beautiful centerpiece fish if I could get a good healthy one. . . <Yes, thank you, and these are generally very hardy fish on arrival from most any/all collection points... do look for ones that have only been "on hand" for a few days to weeks. Bob Fenner>
Re: Kole Tang Hello again, Bob, and thanks! Looks like my struggling to decide on a "centerpiece" may be over. This will make a very striking addition, and will be equally functional at grazing unwanted forms of algae. Much more community-oriented than a Sohal (and with somewhat similar appearance), and one that should never outgrow the 180. <Ah, yes!> Your comment that they should not be "on hand" for very long, as well as my study into their feeding habits, leads me to believe that these species would not fare well for any appreciable length of time in QT, if at all. Is that the case? Do you recommend a QT period for these, or just the Methylene blue FW dip?  <The dip alone is fine> (I also note that net-handling is risky with these species due to the delicate nature of their mouths. . .) <Yes... and fin spines and scalpel like caudal peduncle processes...> BTW--One of my fellow reef-keepers is giving me a 35 gallon tank and stand to use as a QT/hospital system, so I will no longer be relying solely on FW dips and luck to avoid introducing disease into my new system.  <Ah, good. What a gift!> The QT tank will be set up in a week or so and I'll probably put a Chromis in there to cycle it and keep it going. <Old filter media or substrate, LR would be fine, better> I won't be adding the shoal of blue-green Chromis for at least 4-6 weeks after my system has been moved over to the new tank and stabilized, and the Kole wouldn't come along for a month or so after that--and would be the final fish addition. <I'd place the Kole first... the Sohal about last... can be, become very territorial, especially with similar habitat-using life> Have a nice weekend--looking forward to the "pic of the day" as always! --JD <Have a bunch of nice ones lined up. Bob Fenner> James A. Deets
Re: Kole Tang Caught you again, Bob! (I'll admit that when I re-read my message before sending it, where I said "shoal" of blue-green Chromis, my eyes tricked me and said "Sohal.") My stocking plan is just to add the blue-green Chromis and one Kole tang--using the Kole as the show fish in place of the Sohal, P. Asfur or Maculosus we'd considered and discussed before. : )  <Ah, good> I ruled out the Sohal because it's too aggressive (and I've read a number of accounts of Zebrasoma xanthurum finding its demise at the wrong end of a Sohal--right now, my Z. xanthurum is my favorite fish and "king" of the tank) and had also ruled out the Pomacanthus sp. because they'd get too large and might force me into a bigger system before I'm ready (as well as the possibility that they might nip at corals). <Yes> I am excited about this stocking plan, though, as it seems I'll have the perfect mix of fish, everything should get along, is completely reef-safe, hardy, long-lived, beautiful, and the complete mix shouldn't present any problems with overcrowding, even after everything has reached full size. <The benefits of thorough research> Thanks for posting that picture yesterday--the end to my search! :) <Be chatting my friend. Bob Fenner>

Surgeonfishes: Tangs for  Marine Aquariums Diversity, Selection & Care New eBook on Amazon: Available here New Print Book on Create Space: Available here by Robert (Bob) Fenner