Reef Safe Red Fish?

[b.branscombe]

Hi, I'm looking for one or two more fish to complete my 220g reef. I'm looking for something that is completely reef safe, stays 4" or less preferably (low bioload), and is predominantly red. I currently have:

10 Yellowtail Damsels
1 True Percula Clown
1 Blue Chromis
7 Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
4 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Coral Banded Shrimp


These would be the last fish added to the tank. The shrimp are my favourite things in there, so whatever's added has to be friendly to them.

 

[wrasseguy2]

you could go with one of the fairy or flasher wrasse that are red

 

[eskymick]

red cardinal fish

 

[Navyblue]

Earlier on I am in search of a red reef safe fish too.

I've found it interesting that there are plenty of marine fishes that are blue, yellow, orange, pink, purple, white, black, but not many are red and green. And I mean predominantly saturated red and not fishes with a little bit of red like red firefish and others. Blue/green chromis are dominantly green but it is not intense saturated green.

I've found that only tomato, fire and maroon clowns are dominantly saturated red totally reef safe fishes, but I can't add them as I already have a clown in my tank. May be your tank is big enough for two types of clown but YMMV. I don't know if any flasher wrasse are red, they all looked orange to me.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

Another vote here for the flasher or fairy wrasses, there are a lot of red ones out there. Ther are hardy, reef safe, beautiful, and most of them aren't shy in the least.

 

[BiggySmalls]

FLAME HAWKFISH

 

[superedge88]

most wouldn't consider them reef safe, they eat small inverts.

 

[b.branscombe]

Yeah, too many shrimp in my tank for a hawk I think.

 

[Bret61081]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9324608#post9324608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by superedge88
most wouldn't consider them reef safe, they eat small inverts.

Ive Had a flame hawk in my tank for over a year and a half with no problems. I have tons of shrimp too! Anemone shrimp, sexy shrimp, 2 cleaners, 1 blood, 2 pepermint and a blue coral banded shrimp....As long as u keep it well feed you will have no problems!

 

[kodyboy]

how about a flame angel? Can't really get more red than that!

 

[falconut]

I got one of these little guys for the red color.

He doesn't come out very often, but I've been able to spot him more from time to time.

I believe the Fairy and Flasher Wrasses are your best bet for a visible red fish. Just need a cover, plus your damsels might harase them. The 2 different ones I've tried just seamed to disappear. They seam pretty peaceful and easily harassed by other fish. HTH

 

[finsurgeon]

My flame hawk and my flame angel have both been in my tank with no picking on anything despite the presence of many inverts of all sizes. Can't speak for all members of these species, but they both have been as "friendly" to my reef as possible.

 

[SaraB]

How about a McCoskers Flasher Wrasse? He looks a bit more orange in this photo, but he's really mostly red.

<img src="http://www.toizrit.com/fishtank/wrasse%2010.jpg"></img>

 

[bureau13]

I second (third?) the flame hawk. Get him fairly small, and I think you'll be OK. I've had a couple in different tanks, and none of them ever bothered my larger ornamental shrimp.

jds

 

[kodyboy]

I have had a flame hawk, as long as he can not shove it into his mouth it should be fine.

 

[bradleyj]

Hawaiian Flame wrasse.

 

[b.branscombe]

I think that I'll go for one of the wrasses. I'm not worried about the damsels, they are quite benign. They chase each other around a bit, but no one has ever bit each other, and my tiny perc clown and blue chromis swim right with them without any problems.

 

[flasher1]

Flame dottybacks are phenominal looking reef safe fishes. They are red too. Expensive and territorial.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I second the flame hawk or geometirc hawk. Tons of personality. My wife's favorite is our Flame. he follows you around and eyeballs you. It's creepy and funny all at the same time.

 

[Sigmund]

Peppermint Hogfish

Peppermint Hogfish

If you don't mind spending a couple of bucks the Peppermint Hogfish is a great red reef fish. I have one about 2inches in my 125. Always out and about, great color, streamline shape.

Heard they can get a little temper when they get around 5inches fully grown, but I have not seen any signs of it yet...