Bright colors

[dsb1829]

We are in the process of setting up a 180g reef tank. It will house all the corals from our 72g and some of the fish. We are trying to decide what fish to add for colors, beauty, and function.

We are thinking along the lines of royal blue tang, rabbit fish, gramma, flame angel, and clowns. These are the staple fish that are easy to come by. Not really a problem, but just want to get some suggestions for other interesting and bright fish. We love angels and butterfly fish, but they are hit or miss.

What are some bright and colorful fish to add that are reef safe? I am talking yellows, blues, greens, and purples.

[scubadude]

I would say definately a Yellow tang...and I would scratch the Flame Angel...unless you want to take a chance of it picking at corals and you trying to snare it back out of the tank....I would also 2-3 schooling fish (smaller) like some psuedochromis or even anthias heres some killer colourful anthias at ffexpress



Ventralis anthias



Sunburst anthias

[Ninong]

For a reef-safe fish that is predominately green , I nominate Cirrhilabrus scottorum.


Ninong

[Elmo18]

Is that a Scotts Fairy Wrasse?? I'm interested to ask how big this guy gets.

Regards,
Ilham

[Sker]

How about Scott's Fairy Wrasse, very cool fish!

Sker

[Ninong]

Originally posted by Elmo18
Is that a Scotts Fairy Wrasse?? I'm interested to ask how big this guy gets.

Regards,
Ilham

Yes, it is. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/Spec...name=scottorum
There is some geographical variation in the color pattern. You will notice that the one in the Flying Fish Express pic posted by Sker has the red patch on the side that is typical of many specimens available in the trade. It all depends are where they are collected.

Males attain a maximum length of approximately 6" and females reach 4.5".

One of our members, vasubandu, has a gorgeous pair of these.

Ninong

[Bamm Bamm]

school of square block anthias would be sweet Doug!!!

[Neal359]

i am geting a cristmass wrass their realy cool almost all the wrasses are really really cool looking also look at the baselets. the pictures of black caps dont give them justice. i tried to keep one in my tank but it wass killed by a nother fish and flam hawk are also REALLY bright red

[Neal359]

i am geting a cristmass wrass their realy cool almost all the wrasses are really really cool looking also look at the baselets. the pictures of black caps dont give them justice. i tried to keep one in my tank but it wass killed by a nother fish and flam hawk are also REALLY bright red

[angel101]

Starckii damsels are a beautiful blue and yellow fish. In my experience they are not as aggressive as other damsels.

[MayerKT]

I personally love the six line wrasse....i know he's just a little guy, but oh so active and colorful!

JMO
Karin

[tubs]

How about a powder blue tang or other beautfiful tanks like the blond naso and other tangs.

[SuperGook10]

i personally like the royal gramma, the purple is very deep.

[Rin]

If you go with the Scott's Fairy Wrasse, you won't be disappointed. I just got a pair and they are impressive. My female looks pretty close to Ninong's picture and the male looks like the FFExpress picture. They will make great complimentary fish with the Yellow or Purple Tangs.

[dsb1829]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Royal Gramma and a purple or royal blue tang are on the list of fish we are looking into. We have a male and a female square box anthias (IMO these guys are butheads, just like big damsels). Really like those sunburst anthias, but I don't know that we will be getting any more anthias any time soon.

Fairy wrasse is interesting, but if everyone else is getting them then that is just too cliche'. We have always tried to some degree to avoid the stereotypical yellow tang for just that reason.

I would love to try a harlequin wrasse in this tank, but 180 just isn't big enough. Maybe in that 600 we are planning for our house if we can ever afford one.

How about gum drop and citron gobies?? They are common in green and yellow .

I just picked up a beautiful watchman gobie this afternoon. he is in quarantine until the 180 has settled in.

Any more ideas on the bright and not too stereotypical fish??

cheers,

[SuperGook10]

mandarin gobies are awesome!

[waterboy]

I like Mandarins too. They're pretty finicky though, only eat pods.

Purple firefish look awesome, I've been wanting to get one for awhile, but I have too many fish already:

http://www.ffexpress.com/fish/gobies/firefish_prp.htm

[Neal359]

just got a christmass wrass its a really really cool fish LOTS of green and red in it

[tubs]

Also a Hawaiian Flame wrasse, if available, is very bright and colorful.

[stellamn]

I would suggest a black cap basslet. Beautiful fish---vibrant PURPLE. Kinda spendy in the trade, but you can get one for $15 from Reeftopia.