Are there algae eaters for saltwater aquariums

[diver6289]

Are there algae eating fish for a saltwater aquarium like the freshwater plecostomus? Do snails work good as algae eaters, and how many would I need for a 100gl tank?

[prow]

Are there algae eating fish for a saltwater aquarium like the freshwater plecostomus?

many many many

Do snails work good as algae eaters,

yes

and how many would I need for a 100gl tank?

depends on what type of tank this will be. FO, FOWLR, reef. can give your tank info, sump/no sump, macros/ no macros, pumps/powerheads, skimmer, lbs of LR, sandbed ect...and plans for it?

[diver6289]

could you name a few fish

[Melanie]

Lawnmower blenny and Kole Tang are two.

[diver6289]

Thanks

[Witfull]

any tang, rabbitfish and foxface are all perpetual grazers.

[dobejazz]

Afew of the other Blennies besides Lawnmowers eat algae also I believe

[kathywithbirds]

mollies!!!!

[DrHank]

I knew someone (Kathy) would recommend mollies.

[prow]

i would use a variety of snails to deal with algae issues. try to mix up a few of these; as each will have certain algaes of preference
nerite snails
cerith snails
trochus snails
margarita snails
turbo snails
*depending on what your planning, shoot for 100 mixed snails from the above list. also this would be the plan for a crabless system;
couple tiger serpant stars(not brittle stars)
few nassarius snails
couple shrimps of your lilking(avoid mantis though)

fish are good algae eaters too but what fish fits in will be limited to what type tank this is. for example angels fish are great algae eaters but not all mix well with certain corals and/or other fish. blennies too, dont always get along with tankmates. like wise with tangs and just about any other fish. good planning will go along way here.

[Witfull]

i love the lil bubble bee snail. they get into the lil nooks and crannies. i need to find more~

[lcstorc]

My lfs has those all the time. Are they really reef safe? I keep hearing mixed things about them. Obviously they have been good for you or you wouldn't be looking for more. Anybody else want to chime in about their experience wit the bumblebee snails. They are very cool looking and I keep considering them.

[Snelly40]

i have heard mixed things too, lets here ur input witty.
I have bunch of snails, a few small dwarf scarlet's ( i know i know) and a kole tang who grazes constantly

[prow]

they are just ok, IMO. i dont recommend them because they really dont do much. they are not know for their algae eating and will munch on things you dont want like your sandbed fauna. a couple maybe ok but to many will wipe out your fauna, again though depends on what your doing with your system. FO no worries, but for a reef ceriths and nassarius are a better choice, IMO, for turning sand and eating up any leftover foods.

[Melanie]

I have a couple of bumble bees. Maybe 2 or 3 in my 72 gal. They don't seem to bother anyone.