The fish you want but cant have

[Stang67]

What's that one fish that you absolutely love and want to have but can't. Whether it's because of tank size, tank type, budget or some other reason.
I would love to have a queen angel but my tanks not big enough, I have a Mixed reef, and they can be difficult to get.
They are my favorite fish to see when I go diving.

 

[jkcoral]

A Rose-Band Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus roseafascia) has been a “holy grail” fish for a long time. However, I’ve learned they are large and boisterous, especially with other wrasses. I no longer run multiple systems, and my tank is filled with smaller, peaceful wrasses. And I can’t have someone enter the tank and causing problems for my little guys.

 

[randomfishdude]

A big 1.5foot atlantic blue tang... I plan to get a atlantic blue but I would never have the capacity to be able to get one to that size.
I saw some that size in aruba when I went diving and they were so cool.

 

[14 foot reef]

Dragon Eel

 

[tbrown]

All of them. I keep seeing all these cool fish and then they're not reef safe or going to eat everything in my tank.

 

[Narideth]

Helfrichi Firefish. Such a gorgeous little fish, so expensive. Of course my limits on what an 'expensive' fish looks like have been going up over the years. First it was semi-fancy bettas coming in at 20-30 bucks, THEN I got into saltwater, and $50 for a single shrimp.

I just dropped $100 on a very lovely clownfish though, so maybe another year or two and $200 will seem like the norm.

I'd also like to keep a Coral Beauty, but 1. tank size and 2. soft corals. Alas.

 

[Stang67]

All of them. I keep seeing all these cool fish and then they're not reef safe or going to eat everything in my tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

What's that one fish that you absolutely love and want to have but can't. Whether it's because of tank size, tank type, budget or some other reason.
I would love to have a queen angel but my tanks not big enough, I have a Mixed reef, and they can be difficult to get.
They are my favorite fish to see when I go diving.

Due to amount of coral - Full size angels

 

[twentyleagues]

Naso. Biggest tank is 180g standard. I dont want to grow one out either I know id become attached. Maybe some day i'll get a big enough tank.

 

[exnisstech]

Would have to be a Puffer. I would have to decide between a dogface or porky. I like having wet pets.

 

[exnisstech]

Naso. Biggest tank is 180g standard. I dont want to grow one out either I know id become attached. Maybe some day i'll get a big enough tank.

I have had my naso for over 6 years and it's currently in a 180g. I don't think they get as large as what is listed as their max size.

 

[twentyleagues]

I have had my naso for over 6 years and it's currently in a 180g. I don't think they get as large as what is listed as their max size.

We had a big one at the lfs I worked at/shopped at, probably 15-16". Tank was a big hexagon 8' end to end the short panels on the end were 3' around 5' front to back. He was so active in the tank that the tank looked small. Which is why I said that. Such a cool fish with great personality, had its favorite people. I think it could tell the difference between customers and employees ( i say it because im unsure I think male) it was always hamming it up when customers walked by.

 

[RichReef]

Barracuda.

 

[shakacuz]

dragon eel.

 

[exnisstech]

We had a big one at the lfs I worked at/shopped at, probably 15-16". Tank was a big hexagon 8' end to end the short panels on the end were 3' around 5' front to back. He was so active in the tank that the tank looked small. Which is why I said that. Such a cool fish with great personality, had its favorite people. I think it could tell the difference between customers and employees ( i say it because im unsure I think male) it was always hamming it up when customers walked by.

I wonder if it was wild caught at a large size? I've never seen one even close to 12" in captivity. But it's not like I've been all over the place looking at different ones.

 

[PhishMonger84]

fusco, goldenheart or clown trig

 

[SaltyT]

Arabian butterfly has been on my coveted list ... maybe someday

 

[Reefing102]

I’m not sure if this counts since it’s a mollusk but a Nautilus. I’ve seen 2 in person and would love to have one but I don’t have the tank size nor patience to maintain a proper tank for them

 

[twentyleagues]

I wonder if it was wild caught at a large size? I've never seen one even close to 12" in captivity. But it's not like I've been all over the place looking at different ones.

It was at this store for a long time. Ive shopped there for over 20 years (I fill in from time to time). I remember the fish much smaller at their previous location. They lost it about 1.5 years ago unfortunately, I think old age had to be almost as old as the time I spent going there.

 

[ReeferHD]

orange spotted filefish, and it's not cause they're hard to get eating, i already have a plan for that, the issue for me is i like to travel and i wont be able to feed them 2 - 3 times a day while i'm away.