Mystery Wrasse in Mixed Reef Aquarium

The Mystery Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus ocellatus) is a crowd favorite for obvious. They have a brilliant color and aren’t ashamed to show it off. These stunning fish will roam all over the aquarium and maybe even bully other tankmates. This particular Mystery Wrasse is from the Marshall Islands, and an even prettier 5-bar Mystery Wrasse comes from nearby Vanuatu.

Blue Striped Pipefish

Pictured above is a Blue Striped Pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus). These pipefish are very colorful and instantly add personality to any aquarium. They do best when there’s plenty of live food to feed on, and may starve if copious amounts are not present. Additionally, provide these fish with a low flow environment. Their slender bodies and general lack of fins make them poor swimmers that usually just hover in a small area. Too much flow will cause them to get pushed into the rock work and might damage the fish.

Lubbock's Wrasse

Pictured above is the Lubbock’s Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lubbocki) in a mixed reef aquarium. The patterns on individuals seem to vary quite a bit. Some have horizontal stripes while others have blotched patterns, similar to the one above. As with most wrasses, two male Lubbock’s wrasses will become aggressive towards each other if housed in the same tank. They will size each other up, nip at each others’ fins, and relentlessly hound each other until one is removed or dies from the stress.

Red Firefish Goby

Not the greatest picture in the world, but a decent one. Shown above is the Red Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica). This spectacular looking fish has a striking red coloration on its tail, with hints of yellow on its face and dorsal fin. They typically hover near the bottom of the aquarium and flick their dorsal fin back and forth to show  dominance. Several members of this species can be housed together and they will form a small group. Aggression may pop up from time to time, and on occasion these fish can jump from the aquarium. When frightened, the Red Firefish will dart back into a hole in the rockwork and will only return when it feels the threat has passed.

Sunburst Anthias

Pictured is a Sunburst Anthias. These stunning Anthias are somewhat different than other Anthias species, in that they are not schooling/shoaling fish. In fact, the Sunburst Anthias does better when housed as a single species in an aquarium. A pair can be housed in one tank, as long as they are a mated pair. Otherwise, the two fish would fight and probably kill each other.

Yellow Watchman Goby

Here’s one of my favorite fish, the Yellow Watchman Goby. These fish have a great personality and will instantly add a bright spot of color to your aquarium. The watchman Gobies will also move sand around, which can be entertaining on its own, and will form symbiotic relationships with pistol shrimp.

Juvenile Red Sea Desjardini Sailfin Tang

Here is one of my former beauties, a juvenile Red Sea Desjardini Sailfin Tang. These fish are stunning, especially when juveniles. But even as adults these fish are still beautiful, which isn’t exactly common for fish with such pretty juvenile stages. Most species that are attractive when they are younger, end up being bland or even ugly in appearance as adults.

Stonefish

Here’s a scary looking specimen. The Stonefish is a patient predator, snatching up anything that happens to swim by this perfectly camouflaged fish. Additionally, these fish possess a venomous sting, delivered through dorsal spines.

Striped Shrimpfish

The Striped Shrimpfish (Aeoliscus strigatus) occurs on coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific where they gather among seagrasses, urchin spines, and even Acropora corals. They are very different than other fish because they swim in a vertical position.