Opinions on underrated fish...

[Betta132]

Chalk bass
Neon cleaner gobies
Clown gobies
Fang blennies

 

[Dmorty217]

The only downfall to cleaner gobies is their relatively short life span of only 2 yrs

 

[bluecoyote79]

Let me add Redlined Wrasse as well. Males are stunningly beautiful and mine has been a model citizen to everyone except the flatworms and pods. They're very active although a bit aloof.

 

[hogfanreefer]

Vrolik's wrasse, pyramid butterfly, wantanabe angel

 

[The Fisher King]

Garden Eel

 

[A sea K]

H. biocellatus

You very seldom see these fish. I don't think they are rare by any means just not as mainstream I guess.

 

[Fish Ed]

Scissortail dartfish
Yellow-striped Cardinalfish
Vlamingii tang
Orbicularis batfish

Oh! Does cleaner wrasse counts? I think it has lost popularity for having difficulty in captivity.

 

[SoloChromis]

The only downfall to cleaner gobies is their relatively short life span of only 2 yrs

Eh, they're affordable and make for fascinating tank subjects for the entirety of those 2 years, so IMO it's well worth it :rollface:

 

[SoloChromis]

Scissortail dartfish
Yellow-striped Cardinalfish
Vlamingii tang
Orbicularis batfish

Oh! Does cleaner wrasse counts? I think it has lost popularity for having difficulty in captivity.

I would say no on the cleaner wrasse. Although some people *do* have luck with them, especially when imported from specific areas (i.e. Africa), for the most part it would do everyone well if the cleaner wrasse didn't see a spike in popularity

 

[SoloChromis]

H. biocellatus

You very seldom see these fish. I don't think they are rare by any means just not as mainstream I guess.

I see them offered quite often here in FL, and they're always affordable (around $20). I considered getting one myself, but after further research I wasn't all that impressed with the adult coloration TBH. That would be the only reason I could think of maybe why they aren't as popular as some of the others of it's genus :fish1:

 

[Jasanden]

I see them offered quite often here in FL, and they're always affordable (around $20). I considered getting one myself, but after further research I wasn't all that impressed with the adult coloration TBH. That would be the only reason I could think of maybe why they aren't as popular as some of the others of it's genus :fish1:

Wow, I had one that I thought was quite stunning as an adult. + they are As good as a Six line / or Melanarus in pest control .

 

[A sea K]

Wow, I had one that I thought was quite stunning as an adult. + they are As good as a Six line / or Melanarus in pest control .

I completely agree! Pictures do this fish no justice. The stripe that runs across the top of the eye appears almost electric gold in person. Not to add they have excellent behaviour, at least IME.

 

[SDguy]

royal gramma, lubbocks fairy wrasse. Both are easily found, inexpensive, relatively small, peaceful, reef safe, and beautifully colored

 

[SDguy]

I completely agree! Pictures do this fish no justice. The stripe that runs across the top of the eye appears almost electric gold in person. Not to add they have excellent behaviour, at least IME.

And one of the smaller choices from the genus... another plus IMO.

 

[sacremon]

Scissortail dartfish
Yellow-striped Cardinalfish
Vlamingii tang
Orbicularis batfish

Oh! Does cleaner wrasse counts? I think it has lost popularity for having difficulty in captivity.

While the Vlamingii doesn't have the popularity of the lituratus, I see plenty of them around. Probably the second-most kept of the Naso tangs.

My P. orbicularis thinks it is being underfed, not underrated Such a pig.

 

[Fish Ed]

While the Vlamingii doesn't have the popularity of the lituratus, I see plenty of them around. Probably the second-most kept of the Naso tangs.

My P. orbicularis thinks it is being underfed, not underrated Such a pig.

Actually I see these fishes I listed quite often, but it just seems no one buys them. Thus, I would assume they're underrated.

 

[sacremon]

P. orbicularis is very much underrated, called the "ugly duckling" of the batfishes. I find it odd when after about a year of age, they all look roughly the same.

 

[jason2459]

Any of the blenny's like the starry eyed or bi color. People don't realize how much fun they are to watch or them watching you.

As mentioned many times the Royal Gramma so now I hesitate to say it's underrated. So colorful and once accustomed to your tank will come out more.

Any of the smaller Ctenochaetus Bristle Tooth tangs. I particularly like the tomini. Seems like everyone wants a Z. A. P. or N.

Many of the small helpful gobies are passed up like the rainfordi or hectori.

 

[A sea K]

Any of the smaller Ctenochaetus Bristle Tooth tangs. I particularly like the tomini.

Ah, Yes. For me I would say C. truncatus. Another perfect example of a not rare but underrated fish.

 

[kaiboshi]

* Assessor Sp.

* Fang Blennies

* Chalk Basses

* Possum Wrasses

* Zebra Dartfish (just be sure to have your tank covered!)

* Many of the more unusual, evenly tempered damsel species (Rolland's, Talbot's, azure, springer's, bleeker's, tuxedo, pavo etc.)

* Lemon Chromis (Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis) - Will typically spawn in captivity, which makes for a very interesting display, even if they aren't bombshells appearance wise...

* Cleaner Gobies (Neon, sharknose, yellowline)

* Some of the less predatory, less commonly seen cardinal species (Ochrestriped, orange striped, Seale's, ringtail, checkered etc.)

... All very underrated fish IMO :dance:

You nailed a bunch of the ones that came to mind for me lol


Maori wrasses in general are underappreciated IMO. There are only a few that would really fit your bill though, given the tank in your signature. Twospot maori wrasse, Oxycheilinus bimaculatus, would probably be best.