[joecon]

Folks,

Again, I question to motive of my LFS, as this is the store that told me to buy damsels to cycle my tank. I am starting get some brown algae on my sand (tank just finished cycling about 2 weeks ago). I asked about a cleaning crew here and got a lot of helpful info. I went to the LFS today to ask about the brown algae and the guy there told me to get an algae blenny. He stated algae blennies are good for getting rid of algae as well as sifting the sand. To be honest, I was looking at a few he had in stock and it did appear that the blennies would get a mouthful of sand and filter the sand out through its gills.

So, with that said, are algae blennies good for my problem and how hardy are they?

Thanks!

[Ninong]

First of all, you don't really have a problem. Diatoms are a normal part of the algal progression in the cycling of a new aquarium. This phase usually last no more than ten days to two weeks. It's perfectly normal and almost always just fades away on its own.

Secondly, algae blennies (Salarias fasciatus) don't eat diatoms. They eat detritus and benthic algae in the wild. They will sometimes eat the film algae off the walls of an aquarium. Another common name for them is "lawnmower blenny." http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/spec...name=fasciatus

If you want one, fine; but don't buy one just because the LFS dude thinks this will "solve your problem." Do a search on the board for more info. Use Salarias fasciatus, algae blenny and lawnmower blenny. Some people find them easy to keep while others have problems getting them to eat.

[joecon]

Thanks, Ninong. I knew I would get good, honest answers when asking here. I guess, true about most businesses, making a sale is more important than providing accurate info. I will research before I decide to buy one or not. To be honest, I think it is cool how they eat and might just get one because they are so cool looking (in an unusual way).