Firefish red vs purple vs exquisite vs helfrichi

[JoJosReef]

What a tough decision. Which one is your favorite and why?

 

[ATC]

What a tough decision. Which one is your favorite and why?

I couldn’t decide so I’ve got a red in my 90 gallon and a purple in my 40. Everyone seems to like the purple better but my red seems to have more personality. Eventually when we get the game room built and I get my 350 I’m going to get a helfrichi. Tough choice for sure.

 

[JoJosReef]

Don't be shy with your firefish photos, either! You're helping one lucky firefish find a good home!

 

[Lavey29]

I think my purple is beautiful

 

[ReefRondo]

Purple for me. Gorgeous fish.

 

[Krampus]

Regardless of which you pick, if you don’t have a lid/cover on your tank then you need to do a special type of acclimation when you bring it home.

First, float the bag for 30 minutes. Second, drip tank water into the bag until you’ve added as much water as was originally in the bag. Finally, scoop the fish out of the bag and just throw it on the floor to save some time

Seriously, you’re gonna need a tank cover for dart fish. They’re one of the most prolific jumpers in my experience, even more so than wrasses.

 

[JoJosReef]

Regardless of which you pick, if you don’t have a lid/cover on your tank then you need to do a special type of acclimation when you bring it home.

First, float the bag for 30 minutes. Second, drip tank water into the bag until you’ve added as much water as was originally in the bag. Finally, scoop the fish out of the bag and just throw it on the floor to save some time

Seriously, you’re gonna need a tank cover for dart fish. They’re one of the most prolific jumpers in my experience, even more so than wrasses.

Haha! Well at least IM AIOs come with a screen cover and I don't have to buy a Kraken like my Evo!

 

[ATC]

My red the kids have named Barry Allen because he’s fast like the flash. And the purple they named huckleberry because he just stared us down like doc holiday. Both awesome fish. Can’t go wrong with either one.

 

[i cant think]

Okay, so I’ve been wanting to ask this but what is the difference between the purple and the exquisite? Also for me, I would have to go Cook Islands helfrichi due to it not looking anything like your average firefish. This photo isn’t mine but I found it after searching for a while of a nice photo that shows this fish in its full glory:

 

[JoJosReef]

Okay, so I’ve been wanting to ask this but what is the difference between the purple and the exquisite? Also for me, I would have to go Cook Islands helfrichi due to it not looking anything like your average firefish. This photo isn’t mine but I found it after searching for a while of a nice photo that shows this fish in its full glory:

I think there is less white and more yellow on the exquisite. Someone must have a photo!!

Helfrichi always looks so nice--I guess depends on if you prefer the color in the front or the back.

I honestly can't tell which one I like the most. Maybe I need 4 tanks...

Better question maybe: which would pair best with a tailspot blenny?

 

[i cant think]

I think there is less white and more yellow on the exquisite. Someone must have a photo!!

Helfrichi always looks so nice--I guess depends on if you prefer the color in the front or the back.

I honestly can't tell which one I like the most. Maybe I need 4 tanks...

Better question maybe: which would pair best with a tailspot blenny?

Haha, All of them pair well with blennies. These fish are part of the family Gobiidae whereas blennies are in the family blenniformes. I have 3 gobies in with an Escenius blenny (E. lineatus) and plan for a few more with a total of 4-7. I hope to try get a Cook Islands Helfrichi but bet the price tag is high for them over here. If I’m honest I prefer both helfrichis over the other guys. Also you would be able to see the beautiful colour in a smaller tank compared to larger tanks.

 

[JoJosReef]

Alright everyone, someone must have an exquisite they can comment on? Is that the diva of the group? Best personality? I'm slightly leaning purple, but @ATC has me rethinking the red...

 

[i cant think]

I will say I have had experience with them all except the exquisite, I preferred the helfrichi for the colour (Although if I had the bank account for it, I would gladly grab a cook island helfrichi). The red and helfrichi are best for personality and the Purple is IMO the cheap helfrichi. I certainly preferred the other two over the purples but that’s just me with my love for gobies.

 

[Cantusaurus]

I'd say Purple is my favorite. You can't go wrong though! All super cool! I see your in Orange County and if you're willing to go to Age of Aquariums in Signal Hill they have Helfrichi and purple firefish usually. I've seen the Helfrichis there as cheap as 70-80 bucks which is a great price.

 

[tharbin]

My favorite is the red. The fact that is also the least expensive is just icing...

 

[JWD57NH]

What a tough decision. Which one is your favorite and why?

Exquisite- I have a mated pair and I love them their color is amazing def my favorite, I also have a helfrichi in my 100g tank and he’s cool def my second favorite , I have a red in my 20g he’s my least favorite

 

[i cant think]

Exquisite- I have a mated pair and I love them their color is amazing def my favorite, I also have a helfrichi in my 100g tank and he’s cool def my second favorite , I have a red in my 20g he’s my least favorite

I’d love to see photos of all three of you have any!!

 

[Tony Thompson]

I prefer the price and look of the Purple. A couple of my photos of the same fish.

 

[JoJosReef]

I prefer the price and look of the Purple. A couple of my photos of the same fish.

These photos are stunning. These look almost like exquisites though with the yellow eyes and off-white fronts!

 

[polyppal]

I’ve always liked helfrichis, but don’t have a lid so never purchased one. Don’t wanna end up with a $150 cat snack