Foxface Inquiry, sel....  03/19/2008
Hello WWM Crew,
<<G'Morning, Andrew today>>
As always, I'd like to start by thanking the entire crew at WWM for the invaluable support over the years. I'd have left this hobby (and my hair) years ago if not for this site. My question today is an easy one regarding livestock compatibility.
<<thanks for the comments>>
I've looked through the FAQ's regarding compatibility and I have a pretty good idea of what the response is going to be, but I wanted to get feedback before I move forward with my plans. I currently have a fairly mature 3 year old 90gal FOWLR with a 40 gal sump, for a total system volume of around 110 gal. The system is doing well with good coralline growth, copepods, very little algae, etc. I'm lightly stocked for a system of this size (at least in my opinion):
<<A nice system indeed>>
- No coral
- various snails: Turbos, Ceriths, Bumblebees, etc.
- 1x adult Tomato Clown
- 2x adult Firefish
- 1x juvenile Lawnmower Blenny
- 2x juvenile Green Chromis
<<Good stocking list>>
I'd like to remain understocked, but would like to add one more specimen to the system, preferably something a little more on the "showcase" side to fill things out. I'd also like something relatively reef-safe, as I might move into keeping some beginner corals in the future. I really, really like the look of the Foxface, specifically the Magnificent and the Bicolor.
<<No issues with your current stock, however, both are the same regarding a little caution when housed with LPS and some soft corals as there "may" be a tendency to nip. However, a good diet / feeding regime it should be fine. However, the caution given cannot be discarded>>
I've researched thoroughly and am able to provide the proper husbandry for this fish, but my concern was compatibility with the other fish in the system. From reading online and talking to other marine enthusiasts, I don't expect to have too many issues. Every specimen is different, but in your opinion, can I expect any general issues with the fish in this system? Any big worries on the (future) coral side? I find the venomous spines just a tad disconcerting, but it's not a deal breaker for me.
<<I don't see any issues at all with your other stock>>
Lastly, the Foxface article on WWM mentions that aside from a freshwater dip, normal quarantine procedures are not necessary for this fish. I follow the dip / month-long quarantine procedure almost religiously, so I'm wary when someone suggests it's not necessary. However, I don't have experience with this species, so you'd be able to comment on that better than I can.
<<I would say its necessary for ANY fish, and must be done>>
Comments / thoughts welcome.
Thanks again! - Drew
<<Thanks for the questions Drew, hope this helps. A Nixon>>

Stocking Advice...125g FOWLR – 10/18/07
Hello crew and thanks for all the great advice.
<<Always welcome>>
Eric R. has been helping me with stocking advice so if you could steer my question in his direction that would be great
<<I am here...>>
if not here is what I have: 125g FOWLR with a 4" Assasi Trigger, 3" Flame Angel and the last fish in was a 4" White Cheek Tang. After researching the FAQs and a few other sources, I have decided to go with a Rabbitfish and wanted to know if the Scribbled Rabbitfish has any drawbacks versus other Rabbitfish.
<<Not in my opinion...Siganus doliatus is an excellent choice>>
From what I have read this species seems suited for the tank size, aggressive tank mates and is an excellent consumer of algae.
<<Am in agreement... In fact, I have a pair in my 375g reef display (this is also a species of Siganid that will “pair up” as adults)>>
Any negative aspects, other than the venom, that I am missing?
<<This fish “will” require supplemental feedings of algae/vegetable matter along with whatever else you feed your fishes (hopefully Spectrum pelleted food is part of this repertoire). Mine “love” “green” Sea Veggies offered by Two Little Fishies...with an occasional (twice weekly, or so) soak in Selcon or Vita-Chem before feeding also proving beneficial>>
Thanks again.
<<Quite welcome. EricR>>

Dictyota control and Rabbitfish  - 05/02/07
I am a loyal reader of the WWM site, and have gained a tremendous amount of expert advice and guidance, paying no more than a couple of mouse clicks and some key strokes.
For that reason, I feel obligated to share something that I have come across, hoping to give a small piece back to the WWM community.
<I/we thank you>
I have a 125 Gallon reef tank, with 2 bubble tip anemones (was one, split a few months back), 1 large branching Acropora , 1 large Montipora , 1 orange plate coral, 1 green open brain, 1 clam, several branches of frogspawn, and other assorted small corals.  Also swimming are 2 Solomon Island Black Perculas , 1 royal Gramma , 1 Kole Tang, and 2 clown gobys.
About 6 months ago, I started to get an algae bloom of what I would later learn was the dreaded Dictyota .  Unaware of its nature, I tried to remove the Dictyota , but this only made things worse, spreading like wildfire around the tank.  I was removing tons of it every week, but I was only managing to keep it short, it was covering about 2/3 of the visible rock in the tank.  I only managed to keep corals from being choked out by siphoning off chunks of the Dictyota that surrounded each one 2X a week.
I did my research on line, where urchins, diadema , and sea hares were all rumored to eat the stuff….they didn’t.  The owner of my LFS said that he knew no way of ridding the tank, short of a 2 month lights out period (that would not be so good for the corals).
Naso tangs were also rumored to eat the Dictyota, and in fact on ate some at the store so I brought him home.  He started to eat the stuff, but then after one day, refused to eat anymore, and he died a couple of weeks later.  If seemed to me that he may have died from eating the algae, which I hear can be noxious.
Not wanting to kill another fish, I decided on a last resort, something I had seen written somewhere obliquely on a posting.  I bought a two-barred Rabbitfish .  He didn’t eat anything for the first two days in the tank.  On day three, I saw him nibbling a little on the algae.  Over the next three weeks, I saw him actively swimming, and nipping only once in while.   Yet his belly seemed full, near bursting.  It has now been only a month, and the Dictyota is all but completely gone.  I cannot believe I have my tank back. 
I still am in shock that 8 months worth of frustration is over.  It seems impossible to me that this tiny wonder of about 3 inches ate what must of amounted to 8 lbs of algae or more.
With the algae gone (hopefully never to return), I now have a hero of a fish, who instead of dining on Dictyota , will enjoy a life of Nori , greens, herbivore preparations, and protein.
I am not sure if you have a forum for this,
<Oh yes... both for Rabbitfish Selection and Brown Macrophyte control>
but please share this with your readers.  Searches for info on the subject brought about frustratingly pessimistic analyses.  I want to let people know that Dictyota can be defeated, and all it takes is a three inch lawnmower called the two-barred Rabbitfish .  
Brant Goldsmith
<Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>

Caulerpa takeover, biological controls  11/21/06
Dear Crew:
<Hey Paul, JustinN here with you>
I want to introduce an herbivore in my 75-gallon reef aquarium to
combat an outbreak of Caulerpa racemosa.  
<Mmm, I believe this to be one of the Caulerpa sp. that is typically less than palatable to most herbivores.>
I've heard that a tang or rabbit fish may be my best choice but I am concerned with the small size of my tank.  I may want to introduce a juvenile fish and remove it before it outgrows my tank.  
<Can be done, but its better in my opinion to get something you would prefer to keep, and could happily live its life in the settings.>
I understand that the juveniles of some species will not graze on Caulerpa.  A Reefkeeping article (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/hcs3/index.php) states, "filamentous algae will require a juvenile rabbitfish while Caulerpa species and other tougher, meatier algae will require adults."
- What species of juvenile tang or rabbit fish will graze on Caulerpa?
- What Caulerpa-grazing tang or rabbit fish have the smallest adult size and can best tolerate a small tank?
Thanks very much,
Paul.
<While your tank is considered the borderline for such Zebrasoma sp. such as Yellow Tangs, my recommendation would be for a rabbitfish, such as Siganus vulpinus. Assuming you don't have an overly aggressive set of tankmates, it is my belief that this fish would make a wonderful addition to your tank, and may provide the biological control you are looking for. Do note, however, that manual extraction may continue to be necessary, as there is the possibility that either species will not consume the Caulerpa. Hope this helps you! -JustinN>