i cant think
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Madagascan Half Bars are coming down in price now - I had my transitioning male but a few weeks ago he went MIA. I love this fish but if I’m honest, there’s other nice wrasses out there for similar prices that do better overall.Ugh. I'm so indecisive. I have a hard time committing to a list. LOL
Here are the ones I'm thinking about currently (in no particular order):
Flashers:
Fairies (definitely not necessarily going with all of these...just undecided atm):
- madagascar flasher (already mentioned this is one of my dream fish, but cost prohibitive, so extremely unlikely...)
- McCosker's Flasher
- Carpenter's Flasher
- Diamond Tail Flasher
- ...I'm honestly open to most any variety. I just know I want to see these guys flashing at each other. LOL So throw out some suggestions.
Others:
- Johnsonii
- Rhomboid
- Flame
- Lineatus
- Exquisite
- Pylei or briangreenei
- Orange Back
- ...open to more suggestions
- Potters or other leopard (I like bluestars too)
- Tamarin of some kind
- who knows... LOL
Absolutely go for the Carpenter’s Flasher. I know everyone loves the Mccoskeri but the displays of the Carpenteri is unbeatable IMHO.
The Diamond Tail is one of my must have fish. I’ve had a male but haven’t gone for another as I’ve been waiting to upgrade my tank but with that in the next few weeks it’s on my list. This fish just displays for no reason. If you get the chance, try get a female as the transitioning phase of all these wrasses is gorgeous to watch.
Another variety of Flasher I recommend looking at is the Red Fin Flasher, Paracheilinus rubricaudalis. They’re gorgeous in person. Another I don’t see mentioned much is the Royal Flasher, Paracheilinus angulatus. I’ve seen a couple and their displays are stunning.
Fairy wise, unfortunately the flame is no longer available as he is a Hawaiian endemic. But a good alternative I find is the Magma Fairy (Cirrhilabrus shutmani). They have a higher price tag but IMO they’re worth it.
The Johnsonii is a gorgeous fairy when you see them in display, the only downside is their price tag. Not much to say on them as they are peaceful and should get along with everyone!
Rhomboid you’ll want to add early on. These guys can be sensitive to going into established, high active reefs but once added first they seem to do much better. Another great option
Lineatus can be somewhat more boisterous than other fairies but will still get along with them for the most part. I’d add this guy in later on as one of the last fairy/flasher wrasses.
Exquisitus again great choice - I’d personally hold out for a Vanuatu variant. I’d add this earlier on as well for the same reasons as the Rhomboid and Johnsonii.
Pylei or Briangreeni I would pass on as they can be too boisterous for other fairies unfortunately. I’d personally look at a species from within the Rubriventralis complex as a good replacement.
Orange Back is another I’d add later on as they can be boisterous enough to withstand a more active tank and aren’t boisterous to cause issues with other fairies/flashers.
Another complex I would look into is the Lubbocki complex. I’ve had 3 wrasses from this complex and they’re just so colourful for the price they are!
Here’s all 3 I’ve had - the first two are Cirrhilabrus lubbocki and the last is Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis.
I’d definitely be considering a harem of leopards in this tank! I know that’s one thing I’m planning for my upgrade is trying out pairs or harems of sand sleeping wrasses.
Unfortunately the potters is one we can’t get anymore but the rest of the leopards we can still get!
Tamarins are a great idea, I’d look into Neoguinaicus, Twistii, Meleagris as the first 3 options to trial with this genus then consider species like femininus or lennardi down the line. Generally, this is a genus which can go in at any time but I’d still try get them in prior to the tangs.
And as a last couple to consider… get some Halichoeres like;
Halichoeres lapillus, Halichoeres iridis and Halichoeres leucoxanthus
And also look at the Xenojulis margaritaceus, I love mine.