Purple or Helfrichi firefish?

[AngryMike2016]

Hi folks,

Currently have a 32 gallon Biocube, and a 90 gallon Red Sea. In the 'Cube, I have a red firefish, and I really enjoy him. I'm looking to get a firefish for the 90, but would like to get something other than another red.

Putting price point aside, please help me decide between a Helfrichi and a purple. Currently in the tank are a pair of Bangai Cardinals, a blue/green chromis, and a Midas blenny.

Thanks,

-Mike

 

[A sea K]

I prefer the purple over the red but have always been too cheap for the Helfrichi. Given your price point aside I would without a doubt get the Helfrichi.
FWIW I remember seeing some fancy purple version I think on LADD. They were very nice and worth a look if they are still around. I would even consider them over the Helfrichi, maybe?

 

[Geebs19]

I lean towards the purple, cant justify the price of the Helfrichi, they are cool but I dont think the price difference is worth the extra coin.

Didnt see you said to put price point aside. I honestly like more color that the purple or even the exquisite has over the Helfrichi.

 

[A sea K]

I honestly like more color that the purple or even the exquisite has over the Helfrichi.

Exquisite, thats the one I was trying to remember!

 

[Idoc]

I have an exquisite firefish and really enjoy the beautiful coloration. They are timid with other fish, so it will probably spend a lot of time under a rock!

 

[saltyhog]

I much prefer the Exquisite over the other fire fish.

 

[jsvand5]

I have had a few helfrichi’s really cool fish with a color that is unusual for the fish we keep but for some reason I can’t keep them alive for more than 6 months or so. They go from healthy and eating to just disappearing one day. No idea the cause. Not sure if that is common with them or if I just have had luck.

 

[jabberwock]

What about the Exquisite Firefish? They look really nice, and middle of the road for price.

 

[Jesterrace]

Hi folks,

Currently have a 32 gallon Biocube, and a 90 gallon Red Sea. In the 'Cube, I have a red firefish, and I really enjoy him. I'm looking to get a firefish for the 90, but would like to get something other than another red.

Putting price point aside, please help me decide between a Helfrichi and a purple. Currently in the tank are a pair of Bangai Cardinals, a blue/green chromis, and a Midas blenny.

Thanks,

-Mike

I hate to say it but I will bring up the price point for the simple reason that it's tough to get $90-$100 worth of value out of a firefish. They are all super skittish and easily bullied and if that Helfrichi spends a fair bit of time in hiding it's going to be really hard not to feel ripped off. As a compromise I would suggest the exquisite firefish. Still a bit pricey for a firefish at $45 but much easier to get your money's worth out of one and it does offer some Yellow on the body and a bit more unique than a standard purple:

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2971+3483&pcatid=3483

 

[davocean]

I definitely prefer the helfrichi, and I bought a pair once.

Both of them jumped out of tank first night, and this was w/ a completely covered net top w/ 1/4" screen, fastest fish cash I've ever burned in my life!

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A LID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jesterrace]

Isn't it interesting where the folks who get them and recommend them all seem to have had some form of disaster with them? (ie jumping out of tank, can't get them to live longer than 6 months). They are too expensive to take that kind of gamble on them even if money were no object.

 

[davocean]

Isn't it interesting where the folks who get them and recommend them all seem to have had some form of disaster with them? (ie jumping out of tank, can't get them to live longer than 6 months). They are too expensive to take that kind of gamble on them even if money were no object.

So should we all quit and just own a goldfish?lol

 

[PDR]

I have owned both and really like both. Neither one hid much, but I would say the helfrichi was out swimming more. I personally prefer the coloration of the Helfrich. If you think the standard helfrichi is expensive, check out the deepwater Polynesian helfrichi :eek:

 

[Jesterrace]

So should we all quit and just own a goldfish?lol

Nope, big difference between comparing a $25-$30 Purple Firefish or $45 Exquisite to a Helfrichi for $90-$100 and going from saltwater fish to a boring freshwater fish.

 

[davocean]

Nope, big difference between comparing a $25-$30 Purple Firefish or $45 Exquisite to a Helfrichi for $90-$100 and going from saltwater fish to a boring freshwater fish.

Just a matter of perspective, but since OP's post stated money issue aside, just giving a heads up they are known jumpers

 

[davocean]

I like them all, have a red myself, have had all at some point.

I like the purples, but every pic I see I can't help but to think, if grumpy cat was a fish...:)

 

[ReefClutz]

Hi folks,

Currently have a 32 gallon Biocube, and a 90 gallon Red Sea. In the 'Cube, I have a red firefish, and I really enjoy him. I'm looking to get a firefish for the 90, but would like to get something other than another red.

Putting price point aside, please help me decide between a Helfrichi and a purple. Currently in the tank are a pair of Bangai Cardinals, a blue/green chromis, and a Midas blenny.

Thanks,

-Mike

Heldrichi’s are gorgeous but I would stick with the purple. Just as beautiful without bleeding cash.

 

[Jesterrace]

Just a matter of perspective, but since OP's post stated money issue aside, just giving a heads up they are known jumpers

True, to me though it's like paying double or triple the cost to get 10% more wow factor. The Helfrichi is gorgeous but if it happens to be a more skittish individual then it's going to be hard not to feel ripped off. If your only options for Firefish were the standard Red Firefish and the Helfrichi, then I would say it might be worth the huge premium but with the Purple and Exquisite getting pretty close in color for 1/3 or 1/2 the price it's hard to justify it. I used to have a Purple Firefish but he was super skittish and was the number one target of any assertive fish I put in my tank. Shame too as it was a gorgeous fish:

 

[AngryMike2016]

Yeah, I think I'm going to go with the purple.