Blue/Purple Fish Recommendation [Archive]

loans_n_fishes

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 09:36 AM

Ok...my husband says we have yellow, black, orange, white and stripes covered. He would like our next addition to be blue or purple.

We both really like the coral beauty, but it may decide not to be seen much so maybe something else?

Right now I have a 75 gallon with a mandarin (ok, there is some blue on him, but he is pretty small), foxface lo, pair of occ. clowns, and a saddle back butterfly. It is mainly a softie tank, but I may experiment with some LPS...the saddle back may prevent that though.

So, what are your recommendations for a blue guy. Hopefully not too expensive...although I guess I could save up if it's that great. Also, something fairly hardy.

falcondob

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 10:07 AM

Blue Reef Chromis, Purple Fire Fish. Just a couple I think of off the top of my head.

PeeperKeeper

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 10:20 AM

There are a couple of tangs (hippo or purple tang), but I'm not sure if 75 is big enough. I've been thinking about them myself for my own 75g.

Coral Beauties are nice. I don't think they'd hide too much. They just kinda swim in and out of the rocks.

fridmani/orchid dottybocks are nice, but they tend to hide. I just lost mine :cry but before he got sick, I would see him easily if I stopped and watched for a minute or two.

loans_n_fishes

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 11:36 AM

Found these:

Blue Tang
Hippo Tang
Scott's Fairy Wrasse
Neon Blue Star Damsel
Flame Hawk (I know he's red, but sounds like a cool fish...maybe in addition to blue one?)
Blue Fin Angel Fish
Coral Beauty
Blue Girdled Angel Fish
Macneill's Assessor Basslet
Blue Reef Chromis
Limbaughi Chromis
Azure Damselfish

Any of these look particularly good/bad? I checked them out on fosters/smith and they say each of these will fit in 70 gallon.

Sherri

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 11:47 AM

My orchid dottyback always hangs out front of my tank...awesome fish...not aggressive towards any of my other fish.

loanes n fishes....my flamehawk has the most personality of any fish I have. He is so cool. Very nosey! :)

blueboy

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 12:45 PM

blue assesors are nice, i saw one at AA a couple of weeks ago.

NaCl_H2O

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 12:48 PM

The Powder Blue Tang is my favorite, but 75g is probably a bit small.
The Purple Tilefish is nice, saw two at CB on Saturday, but they aren't cheap (~$60) - and I have heard a bit difficult to keep?

ATMgueedo

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 12:54 PM

The Flame Hawk is an invert eater isnt he?

technomex

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 01:00 PM

A flame hawk is a must, just don't plan on having any shrimp.....although some people have some luck with them together. Other than my flame hawk, my coral beauty is my second favorite fish. No hiding problems here.

loans_n_fishes

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 01:24 PM

Will the flame hawk bother the cleaner shrimp/snails/crabs?

GaryP

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 01:29 PM

How about an Atlantic Blue Tang?

loans_n_fishes

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 02:00 PM

That Atlantic Blue is pretty...but isn't my tank a little on the small side for it?

The thought is crossing my mind to trade a tank or two for a larger one :blink . I have the 75 gal, 30 gal and 10 gal.... (I also have a 10 gal and 29 gal fresh water..)

The only thing is, I am going to need one of them for my clark clowns/Lps/softies and another for seahorses (eventually). Then I will need something for seahorse fry **sigh**. I think if I sell my house, I may have to list it as a fish tank with home included! :P

Oh great...I'm rambling! :wacko

Richard

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 02:20 PM

Purple Tilefish is my favorite. Just need a covered tank or they will jump.

http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/tilefishes/purpletilefish/

auSS/Tin

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 03:40 PM

I vote Orchid Dottyback(Tank raised $42 ish) or a Royal Gramma(about $18). I have both in a 200 gallon, I get to see the RG all of the time, and get treated with appearances of the OD all of the time. I would not recommend both in a 75, you would have to choose one.

I did see the Blue Assessor at AA, but for 70.00 ouch.....no that pretty. LOL. Beauty is all in the eye of the beholder.

AA has been putting multiple RG's together in the same tank without issue. Really pretty looking I think.

Bill

hobogato

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 03:49 PM

The thought is crossing my mind to trade a tank or two for a larger one :blink

hmm... i distinctly remember someone saying they were happy with their 75 and probably wouldnt get a bigger tank :blink :wacko :P :D :lol

loans_n_fishes

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 03:53 PM

I know, I know... I actually AM happy with the 75, but some of those fishies that won't fit in my tank are so purty!! :P ;) :huh

Not sure I really want to maintain a bigger system...It did cross my mind though...we'll see. 8)

Sherri

Mon, 17th Apr 2006, 04:48 PM

The Flame Hawk is an invert eater isnt he?

My Flamehawk will eat anything from flake to frozen mysis...he's a pig. I've had him almost 3 yrs. I also have cleaner shrimp and he doesn't bother them at all or any snails...

ATMgueedo

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 08:30 AM

Hum....thats good. I might think about getting one for my 100g

GaryP

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 09:19 AM

That Atlantic Blue is pretty...but isn't my tank a little on the small side for it?
You may be right on that one. I checked and the minimum tank size for an Atlantic Blue is 100 gal.

brewercm

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 09:56 AM

I like the Coral Beauty. I had one in my last 75 gallon and it ended up going to the person who bought the tank on the board here. It had so much personality and definately wasn't very shy. Like someone said earlier, they tend to just swim in and out of the rock work.

LoneStar

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 12:26 PM

Will the flame hawk bother the cleaner shrimp/snails/crabs?

Never heard anything like that before. I've had a flame hawk in my tank since July and he has never went after, nor ate any of my snails, crabs, or shrimp. He's more like a dog. Sits on rocks and stares at you. Swims over to the canopy door every time I walk by, expecting food to drop in. It also follows me around the tank when I'm getting stuff in my room. Pretty cool fish.

falcondob

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 12:40 PM

This is not the first time that I have heard that the Flame Hawk was not "reef friendly". Does anyone have any references, pro or con? I would love to get one, but would hate to lose my shrimp, crabs, etc...

PeeperKeeper

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 12:46 PM

l n F, have you looked at the fairy and flasher wrasses? They have ALL different colors!

falcondob

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 12:57 PM

l n F, have you looked at the fairy and flasher wrasses? They have ALL different colors!

Agreed! I have a Fairy Wrasse. Beautiful blues, purples, reds, and all in between. Just have to watch out for them trying to fly or swim down the overflows.

LoneStar

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 02:29 PM

Sherri

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 08:37 PM

Absolutely Pro.... :)

Darth-Tater

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 08:47 PM

If flames are not reef safe that would explain why I can't keep xenia alive in my tank :w00t A few other things ghave gone bye bye since he was given to us as a fish in need of a new home( yes we adopt cats, dogs and now fish)

David

loans_n_fishes

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 09:00 PM

I'm trying to buy a flame hawk right now. Can anyone hold him for me for a couple of days (or til Saturday) when I can pick him up? I'm in Austin...fish in SA. :huh

Ram_Puppy

Tue, 18th Apr 2006, 09:04 PM

if you go for a fish that is easily available, how about a purple tang?

if you want something rare (you would have to order it)

http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/basslets/blueassessoraustralia/

Bug_Power

Wed, 19th Apr 2006, 12:17 AM

well looks like I won't be able to get the fish, but there is a guy on MARSH with a 3-4" Purple tang and he only wants $40 for it. I REALLY want the fish, but can't get to Houston until the weekend of the 30th. My sisters B-day is this weekend and I'm sure she'll be eating purple shushi next week if I pick up that fish instead of her B-day dinner.