Looking for ideas on one wow fish

[Mikedawg]

Another wrasse vote! Orange back ((Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis) and about $75 at LFS's in Atlanta. Reef safe and beautiful IMHO. Good luck; many great choices

 

[Mikedawg]

I'm a huge fan of wrasses myself. Lots of options that could work as a show fish.

Yes, hard to pick just one - fairy wrasses would be good tankmates for you

 

[Jimmyneptune]

I would go with a mystery wrasse. The mystery wrasse is a beautiful fish great colors striking patterns inquisitive and swims out in the open. If you decide to get some other Larger fish he can most likely hold his own, maybe not with the lion fish.

 

[OrionN]

Consider a wrasse or two. They are among the most colorful fish there is. Depends on the genus, you may need a sand bed. All will need tight lids. They are expert escape artists to their own detriments.
Nobody will not "WOW" when they see these. These but a few of the more common wrasses. There are even more exotic ones.
They do not look like much at the LFS, but given proper care, they are gems of the aquarium.
Do search, and learn about wrasses, and see if you can provide adequate condition for them.

 

[jguerin88]

if your concerned about captive bread lion fish don’t be any that are taken from the ocean are a good thing they are a super invasive species

 

[Zionas]

I’d be concerned about the short lifespans of all Fairy Wrasses, Flasher Wrasses, Firefish, Banggai Cardinals, Possum and Pink Streak Wrasses. I have the same problem with Firefish, Dartfish, most blennies.

If we take longevity into consideration I think the best bet is a Flame Hawk, a basslet, or a YWG.

 

[Gordon42]

I like the Harlequin Tusk myself. Just be careful if you have any type of snails, crabs, hermits or shrimp. They will be gone but they are pretty peaceful and active in the tank. Don’t know the size of the tank but you will need a larger one.

 

[Victor_C3]

What I might do is get a group of 3 chromis and then a dwarf flame angel would really “pop” compared to the rest - especially if most of the colors in your tank are blue/green.

Any fish looks exotic to people who aren’t in the hobby.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Niger Trigger

 

[OrionN]

I like the Harlequin Tusk myself. Just be careful if you have any type of snails, crabs, hermits or shrimp. They will be gone but they are pretty peaceful and active in the tank. Don’t know the size of the tank but you will need a larger one.

I love Harlequin Tusk and he would WOW. But he is kinda big for a 75

How about a Diamond Tail Flasher. If this does not WOW I am not sure if anything will.

 

[OrionN]

One fish that will WOW and will get too big for the tank, but only after many years is the Regal Angel. They are very slow growing and are very long live. Below are 2 pictures 2 years apart. Growth from 1.5 to 2.5 inches.

 

[ZipAdeeZoa]

if your concerned about captive bread lion fish don’t be any that are taken from the ocean are a good thing they are a super invasive species

There is some truth to this I guess but thats a very broad generalization- most species of lionfish aren't invasive and are collected from their natural habitats. If your referring to P.volitans in the Atlantic than yes they are invasive but even then I'm unsure the Atlantic fish are being collected for the pet trade as most places are focusing the Atlantic population as a food fish.

The species referred to above is Dendrochirus brachypterus which as far as I'm aware is not an invasive species at the time of this writing.

 

[pcon]

I vote butterfly fish, but I am biased.

 

[Dave Gold]

Melanarus Wrasse - mine ate all my hermits and smaller snails. Would not recommend for a reef tank, although they are pretty.

Be careful with wrasses. Also a lot of them jump, so make sure you have a lid or a screen top.

 

[cflores]

One fish that will WOW and will get too big for the tank, but only after many years is the Regal Angel. They are very slow growing and are very long live. Below are 2 pictures 2 years apart. Growth from 1.5 to 2.5 inches.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Agree on Marine betta. Here is mine:

 

[AlwaysHatingNathan]

Lemon peel angel fish, flagfin angelfish, niger trigger, (will outgrow it tho) many of the butterflyfish family since only doing fowlr! But all butterfly’s will our grow it you n matter of years!