Help me pick my next fish, something purple

[bigroost]

I have a standard 180 gallon aquarium, I'd like to add a couple more fish. I have no blue in there and the wife and kid want a Regal Blue tang so that's going in soon. Other than that I would like maybe a purple fish. I don't really want to deal with aggression issues if I can. So what's your favorite purple fish.

Current list:
Ocellaris Clownfish X2

Helfrichi FireFish

Purple Firefish

Yellow Watchman Goby

Dispar Anthias X3

Carpenters Wrasse

Pintail Wrasse

Lubbocks Wrasse

Leopard Wrasse

Green Mandarin

Desjardini Tang

Yellow Tang

 

[eatbreakfast]

Nothing is as purple as a purple tilefish.

 

[BestMomEver]

Purple tang.... Z. xanthurum... if your tank is big enough (I think it is) and the tang is large enough, you shouldn’t have a problem with the two tangs together, especially if they are added around the same time. I’ve had one... they’re beautiful!

 

[nereefpat]

So what's your favorite purple fish.

Orchid dottyback

 

[Potatohead]

Coolest purple fish IMO is a Blackcap Basslet

 

[BestMomEver]

Orchid dottyback

My experience is that they’re mean little buggers!

 

[HairyGary]

Nothing is as purple as a purple tilefish.

Loved mine until he got too big. Cool personalities. Jumper too so you need a screen top.

 

[PatW]

Yeah, the black capped basslet is a very nice fish. It is peaceful, reef safe and fairly easy to keep.

 

[nereefpat]

My experience is that they’re mean little buggers!

Other dottys, sure. Not orchids (fridmani), especially in a 180.

 

[mostlysticks]

Orchid dottyback. They're peaceful even though they're a dottyback, gorgeous, and available tank bred. They're a great fish. If yours was mean you probably got a purple dottyback not an orchid.

 

[bigroost]

I like the size of the purple tile fish, but I do like the shape and coloration of the Black capped basslet. How true is the statement about it liking subdued lighting? My tank is sps dominant so its pretty bright in there.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Coolest purple fish IMO is a Blackcap Basslet

I've tried to order a black cap 3 different times in the past and its always DOA before it even ships. My current tank isn't set up for basslets tho, into fairy wrasse now.

 

[dbl]

How about a Royal Gramma? Peaceful and purple with a nice splash of yellow!

 

[Potatohead]

I like the size of the purple tile fish, but I do like the shape and coloration of the Black capped basslet. How true is the statement about it liking subdued lighting? My tank is sps dominant so its pretty bright in there.

They come from deep water, which is why they are a little pricier and not all that common. I have never actually owned one but I do know two local people who have them in normal reef tanks without any issues. Both have lots of light.

 

[Kmsutows]

Purple queen anthias would be my choice. Can be picky at first and will take some care especially at first but would look great with the disbars if willing to put in the care required

 

[MRRBW]

Royal Gramma! There's a splash of yellow, but in my mind its a must in a reef tank. In a 180 you could keep multiple of them too

 

[fishnchip]

Orchid dottyback!!!

 

[joseph scott]

Another vote for orchid dottyback.

 

[HB AL]

Purple tang, hardy fish that will be out all the time.

 

[ca1ore]

Orchid dotty here too. Purple tang isn't really purple, at least not to me; more blue. Purple queen anthias are almost impossible to keep alive. Royal gramma is a good choice also.