TOP 10 Utilitarian FISH For Your Tank - Hilary Jaffe

In this episode, Hilary shares her top 10 utilitarian fish to keep in your tank. Join us as we learn how these fish keep algae and pests under control, and find out which fish made the list and why!
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⚠️ Products In This Video
► Lawnmower Blenny (Salarias Fasciatus) - www.saltwateraquarium.com/law...
► Small Captive-Bred Aiptasia Eating Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) - www.saltwateraquarium.com/sma...
► Captive-Bred Yellow Watchman Goby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) - www.saltwateraquarium.com/cap...
► Foxface Rabbitfish (Siganus Vulpinus) - www.saltwateraquarium.com/fox...
► Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) - www.saltwateraquarium.com/yel...
► Chocolate Tang (Acanthurus pyroferus) - www.saltwateraquarium.com/cho...
► Convict Tang (Acanthurus triostegus) - www.saltwateraquarium.com/con...
► Scopas Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - www.saltwateraquarium.com/sco...
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► Website - www.saltwateraquarium.com
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► Instagram - / saltwateraquariumdotcom
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📩 If you have a request related to equipment in this video, or this video in general, email - [e-mail] #saltwateraquarium #swaq

[@hhglittleman]

I think it would be great to have a list for nano tanks. Alot of these fish get to big

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Noted!

[@reggie2803]

So glad I found this channel, more importantly a couple of your videos. I’ve been keeping freshwater fish for over 30 years. Decided to get my first nano saltwater tank in December and your information has been most informative.

[@johndonovan2743]

I’ve been loving having my saltwater acclimated albino tangerine Molly on my clean up crew. She and my tiger conch keep my sand bed looking really nice. I’d recommend a Molly to anyone with a 20gallon tank.

[@johndonovan2743]

She’s even teaching my clowns how to clean up a bit 😊

[@lovermansmith9082]

Enjoyed the Video 😊 Thanks , Happy New Year 😊

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Happy new year!

[@timjohnson3913]

Great list of fish. As a beginner, one issue I’ve run into is that algae eating fish (tangs especially) mostly fall into the semi-aggressive category and everyone recommends adding those fish last. If you are slowly adding fish due to cost/quarantine/etc like I was, then you may be more likely to end up battling with algae without the help of the most important cleanup crew. I’ve been battling GHA for the last 1.5 years and tangs would have definitely helped. I do have some nice peaceful fish in the tank that may not have made it had the tangs been added first, but I have a hunch that that concern may be overblown.

[@brandonmms]

It's a crab shoot Tim with tangs. Most tend to be territorial. With GHA and new tanks go heavy on clean up crew. Snails and crabs to knock it out

[@timjohnson3913]

@@brandonmms I’m going medieval on this algae at this point. Reducing light intensity and photoperiod. Removed sand bed. Putting rocks in the dark to weaken the algae so it will scrub off. Getting a digital checker for phosphates in 2 days and I will chemically remove the phosphates if above .05 ppm. Adding tangs. Refugium to come soon. Pulling it by hand and siphoning into bucket. It’s just a matter of time or atleast that’s what they tell me.

[@brandonmms]

@@timjohnson3913 whoa slow down man..nothing good happens fast in an aquarium. Slow and steady. Start by checking numbers but remember those are guidelines...not absolutes. Doing to much at a time can cause other issues to pop up. Like cyano, diatoms and slimes. Easy start is the lights as that will set it back. But i.d what is causing the algae. Too much food, not enough flow, not enough critters like copepods, snails, crabs. I stress slow and steady. One small change at a time. Too much of a good thing, can be bad in this hobby.

[@spindoctorwinder]

As a Newby, what are the best fish that will last a long time ?

[@mrmud]

People really need to stop saying ”yellow coris wrasse”. Coris is a different genus from halichores

[@discol76]

Nice list apart from the coperband

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tomyoung7757]

Good list but my experience with Aptasia Eating Filefish is that they also eat coral. Peppermint shrimp were a much better option.

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Which Coral?

[@tomyoung7757]

Waving Hand Anthelia and Solomon Hairy Leather. He was purchased as a Biota baby and was in the tank for almost a year before I started adding coral. He went after those within two hours.

[@riomadoro72]

My Filefish loved Zoanthus

[@mohawk1069]

Ive had peppermint shrimp demolish Euphyllia., Turns out anything that will eat an aptasia anemone will happily eat similar organisms if the conditions are right...

[@yourmomsbff7670]

YWG dont sift sand

[@saf1671]

General feedback, and just my opinion. Hobbyist shouldn't first choose a fish for utility. It should be because they want to keep the animal and have an environment it can thrive in. Utilitarian role is a distant second or a bonus. Fish, like people, have different personalities and may take to the offered food before foraging just because they can or it is easier. And the six line? Beautiful fish no doubt but many would argue not a good choice especially for new hobbyist due to the possible aggression. Having said that I understand the direction of the content so maybe my feedback isn't necessary. Nice speaking skills. Short. To the point. Keep up the good work and all the best.

[@discol76]

Totally disagree but each to there own 👍. Utilitarian fish are extremely useful, especially in the first year of setting up a new tank. I would definitely choose a fish for its usefulness supplemented by fish I like the look or character.

[@saf1671]

You missed the point. What happens if the matted filefish doesn't eat aiptasia? Or the copperband? Or what if the molly miller doesn't eat the algae you have but you thought it would? These videos are catered to new hobbyist who none of which will know the temperament of a Six Line Wrasse for example. @@discol76

[@dennishughes5727]

You’re thinking of utilitarian fish wrong. Utilitarian fish assist in creating an environment for all fish to thrive while reducing the maintenance work required of the hobbyist. I don’t necessarily agree with all of the fish in this list but there is no doubt in my mind a utilitarian fish helps by keeping tank maintenance from becoming a full-time job. You also have to understand that a utilitarian fish often gains a more balanced holistic life by engaging in its instinctual work. My ego isn’t big enough to think I can tell a fish what it needs vs the fish doing what it does naturally. A utilitarian fish will help us balance the environment by addressing those things we don’t know of.

[@saf1671]

@@dennishughes5727 No, I actually get the utility aspect and agree with your statement on helping the hobbyist. We are actually on the same page. I just put a priority on want, like, and stock list vs utility. I do buy fish with utility in mind but it also has to be on my primary stock list. That way if it doesn't perform the utility for whatever reason I'm still good. I keep a scopas tang, matted filefish, copperband butterfly, and a few damsels for this very reason. I actually didn't mean to cause trouble. The presenter, speaker was good. Video quality was also good. Maybe I shouldn't have posted. Sorry.