Underrated reef fish

[richw]

I recently took a chance on some fish that I have never considered before -- simple fire fish. These fish look great and are open water swimmers so they are out most of the time. I am sorry that I waited 5 years to give them a try.

Everyone (myself included) is so concerned about the expensive and rare fish, that we often overlook "gems" that are hidden in plain sight.

Here is a list of my favorite gems:

1. Fire fish
2. Starki damsels
3. Royal grammas
4. Azure damsels

Any other suggestions?

 

[coralfarmer84]

did you say damsels lol. I've never met a damsel that wasn't a tank bully, but that in my experience. Me personally I'm a big fan of inverts because they are so amazing to see things in a fishtank such as starfish, urchins, crabs, and the everyfamous shrimps that are so cool. just my .02

 

[Fishfreak218]

I hate Royal Gramma's .. anway
deffinatly
Occelaris clowns (lololol jk)

 

[Lev F.]

I agree, Damsels are way underrated. Sure, Dominos are viscious, but other damsels such as Starcki's, Talbots, and some other species are perfectly fine. Goatfish are underrated, I love the things, the only thing about them is that they eat worms. Some inverts are underrated as well. Convict Tangs are underrated too.

 

[sean48183]

What's to hate about a royal gramma? Damsels in my opinion get a really bad rap but are not nearly as bad as everyone says in my opinion. I wouldn't keep shy fish like a firefish with them but there are worse. My dwarf angel has a way worse attitude problem.

 

[kevensquint]

I would only get a picture of a damsel, they're easier to catch that way and bring back to the LFS. I think flame angel or yellow tang would be my choice, common, but still beautiful.

 

[sean48183]

Your damsels will run in fear of a flame angel. Way worse in terms of territorial then damsels IMO.

 

[travisurfer]

great thread, ill be sticking around for this one

 

[coralfarmer84]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6724478#post6724478 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sean48183
Your damsels will run in fear of a flame angel. Way worse in terms of territorial then damsels IMO.

My damsel attaches my 10+ inch naso tang with streamers and its like david and goliath. He has taken chunks out of newly introduced tangs such as my achilles and chevron, and tries to eat my hand when i feed the fish. If thats not the Mr. T of any tank, i'd like to know what is :lol:

 

[kevensquint]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6724478#post6724478 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sean48183
Your damsels will run in fear of a flame angel. Way worse in terms of territorial then damsels IMO.

IME, damsels (except chromis) are always at least somewhat aggresive, and you can get lucky and have a very passive flame angel, you can also get unlucky. Nevertheless, I don't richw is asking about what fish is the most aggresive.

 

[skylsdale]

I think in the wild you would be hard pressed to find a reef that doesn't have scores of damsels. Honestly, I think they are a fantastic fish for the reef tank--you just need to plan accordingly or be willing to sacrifice a few things in order to have them as inhabitants. Honestly, I think far too many reefkeepers try to make their tanks be all things to everything (biotopes, habitats, conditions, etc.) rather than sticking to one small section.

 

[Jack04]

with my first tank I lost numerous fishies to Ich. So i grew quite a passion for inverts. Hermits, Shimps, and nassarius (sp) snails, and starfish are cool.

But back to the main gist of the thread,




Richw you are totaly right with how amazingly beautiful the simple fire fish is, I gaze into it's captivating colors daily!!


I have grown fond of nearly all the different types of goby's.

I initally was focused on setting up a goby only reef with

fire fish
yellow head sleeper goby
bar goby
high fin bannar goby
yellow clown goby
green clown goby
black clown goby
orange spot goby
orange tripe goby
rainford goby

all of these fish have brilliant colors and are fun to watch!

ne of the fish i would never put up a tank without would have to be my SIX LINE WRASSE! Nice colors are obvious but the personality of this fish is priceless. Always adventerous and fun to watch!


Agreed it is hard to beat the beauty of these small, simple, cute, and less expensive fishies

 

[Rendos]

One of my all time favorite fish are Scissortail Gobies.

 

[cajen]

For colour, long life and personality, it's dwarf angels for me any time - coral beauty and flame esp. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've had no problems with undue aggression - mind you, that was in a FO setup. Some are not too reef safe, I hear.

 

[Tate]

I love my firefish. He's awesome looking and only cost me $11 at Petco. I've had him over a year. I also have a model citizen Talbots damsel.

 

[MiddletonMark]

Small gobies are underrated, IMO.

Got 3 masked gobies last summer ... active, interesting, about zero bioload ... and many folks seem to like them when they see the tank. Cheap, `simple' ... but add a lot for only a little.

 

[MattToTheMax]

yellow-headed jawfish (pearly jawfish). i love these guys, except for there amazing ability to find any small hole in the top of the aquarium and squeeze right out onto the floor.

 

[naterd1976]

My favorite reef fish... Fairy Wrasse any fairy wrasse. They are perfect, a little spendy but the perfect community reef tank fish. Plus they are some of the most beautiful fish in the reef.

 

[REV]

My scopas tang is pretty cool. Beautiful markings when you look close.

 

[rustybucket145]

Yellow Headed Jawfish. Very mild temperment, Easy Going and a fun fish to watch. They actually burrow under the sand and construct a fortress around their hole.